Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2024 and 8 March 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2024 and of the informal meeting held on 8 March 2024 were approved as a correct record.

Members of the Committee are invited to declare any pecuniary or personal interests relating to specific matters on the agenda.

Please see note (a) at the end of the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the outcomes and recommendations of the HMICFRS inspection report.

4.1      Adam Openshaw, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO), presented the outcomes and recommendations of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Servies (HMICFRS) inspection report to the Committee.

4.2      It was noted that the final round 3 inspection report for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) was published on 3 May 2024. The inspection had taken place between September and December 2023.

4.3      It was noted that inspectors had recognised the progress made in some of the areas highlighted for improvement during the previous inspection, with 3 recommendations resulting from the causes of concern and 9 areas for improvement (AFIs) discharged. GFRS was also found to be adequate in preventing fires and other risks and responding to fires and emergencies.

4.4      The Committee was advised that GFRS had received a cause of concern for business fire safety, however this was seen to be a trend for multiple fire and rescue services across the UK currently.

4.5      Members were informed that the two main areas identified as requiring improvement related to culture and equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). HMICFRS had recognised in its inspection report that a lot of the improvement work in this area was still in its early stages. This work now needed to be embedded and evidenced as sustainable and systematic moving forward. Members were informed that plans were in place to continue to address pockets of challenging behaviour, as well as to increase staff understanding of the importance of positive action.

4.6      HMICFRS had recognised that 94 percent of GFRS staff understood the core values, which reflected the work that had been carried out in this area and on the workplace charter. The report also recognised that senior leadership engagement was improving.

4.7      The ACFO highlighted the results of the HMI survey, which depicted a 22 percent increase in GFRS staff respondents. Some of the positive indicators resulting from the survey included an 18 percent increase in staff who agreed that they were treated with dignity and respect, a 6 percent increase in staff who agreed that ideas and suggestions were listened to, a 15 percent increase in the number of staff who agreed that they had confidence in mechanisms for providing feedback, and a 15 percent increase in staff who agreed with the ability to challenge ideas without detriment.

4.8      Further clarity was provided on the additional cause of concern identified by HMICFRS, which related to how GFRS undertook its regulatory duty to carry out inspections of buildings and keeping the public safe through regulatory inspections. 3 recommendations needed to be addressed to discharge this cause of concern. The first recommendation related to the Service’s high risk building inspection programme and the limited resources currently available to undertake it. It was noted that a shortage of trained inspectors was a national issue, with officers tending to complete inspection training whilst employed by fire and rescue services before transferring to employment in the private sector.

4.9      The second recommendation was related to quality assurance, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To receive an update on the new Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service workwear.

5.1      David Stevens and Kristine Stokes, Logistics and Resources Managers, GFRS, provided an update on the procurement and implementation of the new workwear/ uniform policy for all GFRS uniformed staff.

5.2      Members were informed that in 2016, a previous CFO had decided to change the GFRS uniform from navy blue to black with no staff consultation. This was a contentious decision, with many staff unhappy about the change. The change to black uniform had even resulted in an attack on a member of fire service personnel as they were mistaken for police. 

5.3      Members were informed that following the decision in 2016, no uniform contract had been formally agreed which had led to a reduction in the quality of uniform standards. It was understood that the majority of fire services across the UK wore navy blue uniforms which meant sourcing for black uniforms had been difficult.

5.4      It was explained that almost 300 responses had been received to a staff consultation on changing the uniform back to navy blue, with the majority favouring the change back.

5.5      The survey had also revealed that the majority of staff felt the current uniform was not fit for purpose, rating it as either one or 2 for quality. The new workwear needed to be robust and able to withstand the physical aspects of job, as well as looking smart. It was also recognised that the current uniform was not fit for a diverse work force. This had been addressed in the proposals for the new workwear.

5.6      It was understood that an AI sizing app and ordering system would be implemented whereby staff could be individually sized and uniform could be ordered as required. This would result in improved efficiencies as stock would no longer have to be stored. 

5.7      A member queried the cost to the Local Authority of the new uniform rollout on an annual basis. In response, it was confirmed that proposed annual costs would be similar to current costs, with an initial outlay of just over £151k to cover the change from black to navy blue workwear for all unformed staff.

5.8      In response to a further query, it was explained that the new uniform was of an improved quality. It had been designed as a technical garment, with double seamed trousers and a toughened and flexible waistband and belt. It was understood that the contract with suppliers had been formalised which would enable them to be held to account.

5.9      It was confirmed that the supplier of the new workwear was UK based. The commitment of suppliers to social values had been a critical aspect of the tender process.

5.10   A member commented that at a distance, the new navy blue unform could be mistaken for black. In response, officers advised that navy blue was a fire service standard and by changing back to it, GFRS was aligning itself with other services in the sector.

5.11   A member welcomed the inclusion of coloured embroidery on the uniform badge,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a verbal update on the Fire Station Cover Review, including an update on the consultation process.

6.1      The ACFO provided the Committee with an update on the consultation process for the Fire Station Cover Review.

6.2      Members were informed that 312 people had engaged with the consultation on proposals, of which 97 were GFRS staff. 15 engagement sessions had taken place with staff, and 5 with members of the public. Due to the level of interest amongst staff regarding proposals, a further survey had subsequently been developed relating to how changes to shift patterns were proposed to work.

6.3      It was noted that an FAQs document had been developed as questions had been raised, and in response to requests from staff, all information that had informed the proposals was available on the staff intranet.

6.4      Members were advised that once the consultation had finished, responses would be analysed, and final recommendations would be presented to Cabinet at its meeting on 4 December 2024.

6.5      In response to a query, it was confirmed that unions had been consulted with regarding proposals.

6.6      In response to a further query, it was confirmed that one of the reasons for the proposals relating to Cinderford Fire Station and the changes to the shift patterns was to achieve a reduction in response times in the Forest of Dean and across Gloucestershire as a whole.

6.7      A member asked whether consideration had been given to recruiting additional whole time fire fighters. In response, the Committee was advised that the use of on call fire fighters was the most cost effective way to meet demand, with current availability of on call fire fighters at 70 percent. The difficulties of employing on call fire fighters was recognised, and options to address this were being considered, such as through changes to contracts.

To consider the GFRS performance data.

The Committee noted the performance data.

To review the committee work plan and suggest items for consideration at future meetings.

When making suggestions, members should consider the reasons for and expected benefit of scrutiny’s involvement.

For reference, please find the link to the Cabinet forward plan below:

Forthcoming Decisions (gloucestershire.gov.uk)

The Committee’s Work Plan to be updated as follows:

·       An item on the impact of the new Government on Fire and Rescue Services, to include any changes in policy, to be scheduled for the meeting in September 2024.

·       A report on the impact of climate change on the fire service, including how to address the risks such as flooding and wildfires, to be scheduled for the meeting in September 2024, alongside the update report on GFRS Net Zero Carbon Progress.

To note the date of future meetings (all meetings to start at 10am):

19 July 2024

13 September 2024

2 December 2024.

A few members raised an issue with the day Committee meetings were held on. This could be addressed going forward.

ACTION – Laura Powick