The chair of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Safety Authority (BFRSA) said the authority had “done its job” after a national inspection found its governance arrangements were effective.
But the inspection also raised concerns about leadership and culture within the county’s fire and rescue service.
At a meeting last Thursday (26 March), cllr Jacqueline Burnett (Labour, Luton Borough Council), chair of the BFRSA, thanked members following the latest inspection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
“Governance was looked at for the first time,” cllr Burnett told the meeting.
“And I just want to thank you all for your contribution – governance was okay. We’ve done our job, it’s mentioned in the report.”
The inspection report does state that “internal governance and scrutiny to hold senior leaders accountable is effective”.
Read: Fire service improves response and prevention, but report warns of “broken and toxic” culture
“Ongoing weaknesses”
However, while inspectors found the authority’s scrutiny arrangements to be effective, the report also identifies ongoing weaknesses within the service itself, including concerns about leadership behaviour and limited progress in some areas.
Chief fire officer (CFO) Andrew Hopkinson told members the service was “disappointed” to be judged inadequate in the area of values and culture, but said the findings were not unexpected.
“Members should be assured that there’s nothing necessarily new in that report that we weren’t already self-aware of, and that’s been played back to us,” he said. “And we’re taking it very seriously.”
CFO Hopkinson added that the service will be developing an action plan following a meeting with the inspectors after Easter.
“In terms of the services we provide to the public… it is the best inspection to have..[from a] public perspective, they should be assured,” he added.
The meeting also heard concerns that the inspection report had not been formally scheduled for discussion.
Cllr Russell Goodchild (Independent Alliance, Central Bedfordshire Council) said: “We should be discussing that issue, good or bad… it should be coming to a fire authority meeting.”
The inspection report was not listed on the authority’s meeting programme for the next municipal year.
CFO Hopkinson said the timing of the report’s publication meant it could not be included on this agenda, but confirmed a member briefing would be held in May after discussions with inspectors.
Members were told an extraordinary meeting could be arranged if required (the next formal meeting is the authority’s annual general meeting in June).
In a statement released when the report was published, the inspectors said the fire service had made improvements in prevention, protection and response since its previous inspection, but “instability at senior leadership level” had slowed progress in other areas.
“Persistent” issues in discipline and grievance procedures were described by inspectors, and evidence was found of managers overriding established policies, unclear communication of procedural changes and staff fearing victimisation when raising concerns.
The inspectorate’s statement added that the chief fire officer had recognised the improvements needed, but the service “needs to do more” to make sure all leaders consistently demonstrate behaviours that reflect its values.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
