To consider any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Doreen Knight, Barbara Murray, Gill Wood and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside Emily Spurrell.

The Chair of the Authority recorded the sad passing of Councillor Linda Maloney who had been a Member of the Authority for a long time and who during that time had held various positions including that of Vice-Chair. Councillor Byrom commented on Councillor Maloney’s love for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, her ward, and her community. It was noted that she was passionate about her job and the people she represented as a dedicated public servant. The Members were advised of the details for her funeral and the Authority held a minute’s silence in remembrance of Councillor Maloney.

It was also reported that the Chief Fire Officer, Phil Garrigan, has been successful in the election process for the new Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council and as such would be leaving the Authority in the coming year. The Members wished him every success in this new role and thanked him for all he had done during his years at the Authority. It was noted that a recruitment process would take place for the next Chief Fire Officer and the Monitoring Officer would provide guidance throughout that process.

To consider any Member declarations of interest.

There were no delcarations of interest in relation to any item on the agenda.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting held on 26^th June 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the last meeting held on the 26^th June 2024 be approved as an accurate record.

To consider a report relating to the performance of the Service over the last ten years (CFO/60/24).

The Chief Fire Officer, Phil Garrigan presented the report which provided a ten-year review of the Authority’s performance.

The Chief Fire Officer acknowledged the importance of this data and recognised the hard work of the Strategy and Performance team, as this kind of information aided the Authority in directing its resources effectively.

The report provided a high-level overview of the incidents attended by the Service over the last decade noting that there had been an increase in incidents. This was in part attributed to the Service’s collaboration with other blue light services on special service calls. With regards to an increase in false alarms, it was noted that the Authority continued to encourage ‘good intent’ calls and had made a policy decision to always attend domestic properties in those instances.

It was reported that the number of accidental dwelling fires blighting communities was at an all-time low as a result of the preventative work the Service had undertaken. In particular, the Service had aimed to engage with Merseyside’s most vulnerable and impoverished residents and provide safety advice through Home Fire Safety Checks.

The Chief Fire Officer noted that there had been a fire fatality over the period, and although that in itself was a tragedy, there had been a significant reduction in fire fatalities in Merseyside.

There had also been a significant reduction in the number of fires in non-domestic properties, wherein the Service’s advice and support had proven effective. Overall, it was explained that the Authority was performing well in preventing and reducing fires and other emergencies in the community and that was evident by a drop in the number of deliberate fires.

Members were advised that the data outlined that there were more incidents during the day than in the night. This intelligence had impacted how the Authority allocated resources and also formed part of the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) planning process.

With regards to response times, it was noted that for the third year the Service’s call handling time had reduced with quicker mobilisation and an improved response time, bucking the trend nationally.

The report provided a comparison with other metropolitan Fire and Rescue Services in the country which outlined that Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were performing exceptionally well, particularly in response to accidental fires, nondomestic property fires and staff absence.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Kenny, welcomed the report and asked for further information relating to the increase in domestic false alarms. The Chief explained that these were largely accidental and related to things like setting the alarm off when cooking. If the alarm was linked to a call received by Control, then resources would be mobilised as individuals with alarm systems tended to be particularly vulnerable and crews could provide advise on cooking safety and utilise the opportunity to do a Home Fire Safety Check if it was not an actual fire.

With regards to accidental secondary fires and special service data, Councillor Bell asked for further detail about whether the Service sought to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the CRMP 2024-27 Post-Consultation Report (CFO/45/24).

The Chief Fire Officer presented the report, explaining that the Authority was required to produce a CRMP to outlined how the Authority planned to resource areas of foreseeable and emergent risk.

It was highlighted that the CRMP being considered by Members continued to reinvest into the front line of the Service with an increase in the number of appliances as well as increasing the Service’s specialist capabilities. The CRMP sought to address areas of vulnerability and deprivation to ensure that resources were deployed effectively and also took into consideration factors like time of day and location.

It was explained that there had been significant consultation on the proposal and the sections in red identified the changes that had been made based on feedback. Members were reminded that the CRMP was part of a suite of documents including the Medium-Term Financial Plan and People Plan that laid out the Authority’s future plans.

The Chief Fire Officer provided a breakdown of the themes within the CRMP and noted there had been exceptional feedback from Merseyside’s community groups and that the final proposal was the result of collaboration between all key stakeholders.

The Chair thanked the officers involved as well as the representative bodies and the Members for their involvement in the final CRMP. He explained that since the last meeting, further work had been undertaken with union representatives to provide the version being considered today.

Councillor Kenny noted that the CRMP sought to increase the number of appliances from 32 to 34 and to continue to make improvements which would benefit the people of Merseyside. He noted that the Trade Unions were in support of the CRMP and thanked the public for taking part in the consultation. It was noted that there would be a review in 12 months which would allow for any necessary tweaks to be considered and he commended the improved response to life risk incidents outlined in the CRMP.

Councillor Hanratty recorded his thanks to all those involved and commented on the hard work of the officers noting that the report would reassure Members and staff that the Authority was moving in the right direction. He reminded Members that during austerity, funding for the Service had been cut significantly and asked that a meeting be held after the budget update on the 30^th October to consider any potential financial risks for the Authority. The need for a multiyear settlement was emphasised and the importance of reacting to emerging legislation was also noted in terms of the future of the Service. Members were reassured that the Authority was lobbying for an extended settlement and would continue to invest in the front line for the benefit of Merseyside.

A representative from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) was invited to comment on the CRMP and he explained that as previously reported, there had been extensive collaboration with the Union and as such the FBU were in support of the proposed CRMP. It was reported that there had been significant positive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider the Project Completion report on the New Aintree Fire Station, Training and Development Academy / National Resilience Centre of Excellence at Long Lane, Aintree (CFO/59/24).

A video of the new Training and Development Academy/National Resilience Centre of Excellence (TDA) was played, and the Chair invited any Members who had not yet been, to visit the site.

The Chief Fire Officer presented the report and noted that the investment into the TDA would help to keep firefighters safer in Merseyside and beyond.

Members were advised that the project had spanned four years, noting that the previous TDA site had been well-loved but was no longer fit for purpose for a modern-day Fire and Rescue Service. As a result, the new 12-acre site which was equidistant from Aintree and Croxteth, was identified. The site hosted incredible training facilities with 2.5 acres of land remaining fallow to support any future emerging risks that could form part of firefighter training. The site allowed for firefighters to safely train for a myriad of challenging situations, and it was noted that there had been significant interest both nationally and internationally for other Fire and Rescue Services to train there.

It was noted that Minister of State, the Rt Hon Dame Dianna Johnson DBE, had recently highlighted the National Resilience Centre of Excellence in Merseyside as a significant resource for firefighters.

RESOLVED that:

a)    the contents of the report be noted; and

b)    the release of £275k from the Capital Investment Reserve to allow for final closure of the project be approved.

To consider the annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion report for 2023/24 (CFO/58/24).

Councillor Grace, Lead Member for People, introduced the report commenting that Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were ‘streets ahead’ in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion. She noted that the Authority was not being complacent in its actions and that the Service was a welcoming place for anyone who wanted to excel.

The report showed the Authority’s performance against its equality, diversity and inclusion objectives for 2021-24 and demonstrated its commitment to meeting its equality duties. Members attention was drawn to the People Plan and the Cultural Action Plan which included further information on the work being undertaken by the Authority.

The Chief advised that external visitors to the TDA had recently commented on how welcoming the Service was and the Chief attributed this to the efforts made to create an environment where people felt like the belonged.

Members attention was drawn to page 352 of the agenda which provided an executive summary of the total work force noting that MFRA had more female firefighters (81) than the national average. It was explained that 22 of those individuals were in Crew or Watch Manager roles and it was hoped would progress to more senior positions during their career.

Sexual orientation was also broken down in the report with 55% of staff feeling comfortable in expressing their orientation without judgement. 

The number of ethnic minority staff in the Service had also increased to 66 which was a positive move in ensuring that the Service reflected the communities of Merseyside.

With regards to pay gaps, it was noted that the gender pay gap had dropped from 9.1% to 8.4% (which was lower than others in the sector) and the ethnicity pay gap now stood at 6.1%.

The report also provided a breakdown of data relating to the discipline and grievance procedure.

Councillor Bell welcomed the report, in particular the in-depth analysis provided in relation to gender statistics. Councillor Bell asked if there were any concerns for underreporting, particularly in the figures relating to grievances from female employees. She asked if the Authority had an outcomes-based approach to reporting, particularly when it came to the ‘Safe Call’ line.

The Chief Fire Officer explained that trust and confidence in the process was instilled when staff could see their concerns were being taken seriously and dealt with effectively. The Authority was currently working towards implementing ‘just culture’ arrangements, wherein relatively low-level incidents could be dealt with informally. Members were assured that if people’s behaviour was abhorrent, then that would be dealt with formally through the established discipline and grievance procedures and it was felt that the staff understood how seriously their concerns were taken. With regards to the ‘Safe Call’ reporting line it was felt that this had not been as effective as the Authority would have hoped and that was being worked on with the Director of People and Organisational Development, Nick Mernock.

Nick Mernock explained that HMI had voiced a desire for an independent reporting line for Authorities but that its utilisation at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider a report relating to the award of an occupational health contract (CFO/62/24).

Members were advised that the previous contract had been terminated and that this report sought to reward a contract to Nation Occupation Health Limited for services from effect from 4^th November 2024.

The submissions had been judged on price and quality utilising the existing framework for a term of five years.

Councillor Hanratty asked at what stage the previous contract had been terminated in terms of clawing back any payments and it was advised that the services had not been paid for in advance, so this was not a concern for the Authority.

With regards to ensuring that the conditions of service were met moving forwards, Monitoring Officer Ria Groves advised that this had been considered as part of the procurement process and that the recommended supplier had been providing some short term services for the Authority (and other FRS) which also meant that there would be limited impact for the transition into the contract.

Nick Mernock, Director of People and Organisational Development explained that the increase in cost could be met by using inflationary costs so no further budget was required.

RESOLVED that the award of the new Occupational Health Medical Services contract to Nation Occupational Health Limited with effect from 4^th November 2024 be approved.