To consider any apologies for absence.

Prior to the start of the meeting, Members were informed of the requirement to appoint a Member to Chair the meeting, following the receipt of apologies from the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Paul Tweed.

Councillor Linda Maloney nominated Councillor Dave Hanratty to chair the meeting. This nomination was seconded by Councillor Barbara Murray.

RESOLVED that Councillor Hanratty act as Chair of this meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

Apologies received from Councillors Paul Tweed, Jeanie Bell, Gill Wood, and Co-opted Member Mr Anthony Boyle.

To consider declarations of interest in relation to any item on the agenda.

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

To consider the minutes of the last meeting held on the 25^th April 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the last meeting held on 25^th April 2024 were agreed as an accurate record. 

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer providing a review of Organisational Culture (CFO/49/24).

The Chief Fire Officer, Phil Garrigan presented a ‘Review of Organisational Culture’ to Members.

The Chief Fire Officer emphasised the importance of Fire Rescue Services (FRS) nationally in recognising the cultural dynamics of Minority and Ethnic communities.

The Chief Fire Officer highlighted the tragic loss of Jaden Francois Espirit, a Firefighter of the London Fire Brigade, who took his own life in August 2020. This event underscored the need to reconsider cultural issues within the London Fire Brigade.

Members were advised that subsequently, an Independent Culture review of the London Fire Brigade was conducted, by Nazir Afsal in November 2022. It was noted that from speaking to 2000 staff within London Fire Brigade, 33 recommendations were formulated. It was explained that these recommendations were shared with other FRS’ for consideration and potential adoption, with efforts to implement underway at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (MFRA) since 2022.

The Chief Fire Officer reported on various other cultural reviews into staff conduct across Fire and Rescue Services in South Wales, Dorset & Wiltshire, and Tyne and Wear.

Members were also briefed on the results of the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) review which took place in February 2024, which highlighted sexual harassment as an issue. The review found that 30% of female conference attendees had experienced harassment, prompting a renewed focus on addressing such behaviour across the sector.

Councillor Sam Gorst entered the meeting at 13:10pm.

It was noted that His Majesty Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) undertook a review on the culture within Fire and Rescue Services on March 20, 2023, detailing feedback of racist, homophobic, and misogynistic behaviour, bullying, and a reluctance to report inappropriate conduct in the sector.

The Chief Fire Officer noted that there were a set of recommendations from HMICFRS, the review of London Fire Brigade and other cultural reviews to consider, but that there were risks associated with trying to implement a multitude of recommendations which may not directly reflect the culture at MFRS. Instead, the Authority had focused on a specific set of recommendations that it felt were pertinent to its own culture. These included recommendations relating to reporting concerns, conducting background checks, handling misconduct, leadership/management, training and development, capturing diversity data and enhancing diversity.

The Chief Fire Officer outlined 20 suggestions which applied to all FRS’, with 15 that required actions from the Government and other organisations. The inspectorate had identified 10 further recommendations focusing on discipline and grievance issues.

The Chief Fire Officer emphasised that part of the Authority’s review included the introduction of  the Authority's Cultural Action Plan which would  produce better outcomes for the communities it served.

In terms of interacting with the community, Members were advised of the successful data analysis compiled from Home Fire Safety Checks, (HFSC) which demonstrated firefighters' comfort in addressing sensitive issues while considering factors like ethnicity and religion.

With regards to the cost of implementing recommendations, the Chief Fire Officer recognised that there were financial constraints on infrastructure investment across FRS, due to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer presenting the Scrutiny Forward Work Plan 2023-2025 (CFO/50/24).

Monitoring Officer, Ria Groves, presented the Scrutiny Forward Work Plan covering years 2023-2025. The report contained topics approved by Members, noting that it was a 2-year work plan due to the number of topics to be reviewed.

Members were advised that the current Plan was included within the report, with the highlighted blue sections already scrutinised, and the Monitoring Officer outlined the remaining sections left to scrutinise for the year.

Members were encouraged to suggest any additions, as it was explained and   it was noted that a request from Authority Committee, on 26^th June 2024 relating to smoke alarms had been selected as a topic for a Learning Lunch later in the year.

RESOLVED that Members reviewed the proposed Scrutiny Forward Work Plan 2023-2025.