Members are requested to consider the identification of:

a)  declarations of interest by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

b)  any additional items of business which the Chair has determined should be considered as matters of urgency; and

c)  items of business which may require the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

Members considered the identification of any declarations of interest, matters of urgency or items that would require the exclusion of the press and public due to the disclosure of exempt information.

Resolved that:

a)no declarations of interest were made by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

b)no additional items of business were determined by the Chair to be considered as matters of urgency; and

c)no items of business required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, held on 10^th September 2020, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, held on 10^th September 2020, were approved as a correct record.  

To consider Report CFO/003/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning an overview of; and update on, the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership.

A Presentation will be provided in support of this report.

Members considered Report CFO/003/21 of the Chief Fire Officers, concerning an overview of and update on, the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP).

Members were introduced to Detective Superintendent (DS) Andy Ryan from Merseyside Police, who was in attendance to provide Members with a presentation around the Violence Reduction Partnership.

The Merseyside VRP was established in July 2019, with the aim of reducing serious violence via a public health approach and Members were shown a short film, providing an overview of the VRP.

Members were advised that the partnership did not want to look at serious violence in isolation, or as being solely an enforcement problem, rather they aimed to look at violence as being a preventable consequence of a range of factors and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s).

Members were advised that a number of agencies and partners were involved in the core team, which included officers from MFRA. The co-located team included representatives from public health, the fire service, the probation service and youth offending, amongst others.

Members were informed that having the fire service involved in the core team, was unique to Merseyside, and something that the partnership was very proud of.

The presentation went on to highlight the introduction of a new programme – “Healing Together”, which was a 6 session programme, aimed at young people who have experienced domestic abuse. Members were informed that MFRS were currently leading the way on this initiative; and had been trialling it within Knowsley and St. Helens. They were informed that although the initiative was in its infancy, there were high hopes for the programme, with feedback being excellent; and the VRP were looking forward to seeing the outcome of the evaluation.

A question was raised around funding and the break down in terms of agencies, or initiatives.

Members were informed that the share of funding the Merseyside VRP received from Government, was £3.37m. They were informed that the PCC, provided funding to the Head of the VRP, to spend on specific interventions, with the Steering Group holding the Head of the VRP to account for expenditure.

Members were advised that the Home Office had stipulated that VRU’s must spend at least 25% of their funding on interventions, with the remainder spent on staffing and academic support. It was highlighted to Members that in Merseyside as much as possible was to be spent on interventions, which for this financial year, had been around 70% of the funding. However, Members were advised of the requirement to build on the team, specifically around building on the analytical capability, which had an impact on the interventions budget.

Members were advised that no specific amount had been allocated to any work streams or organisations. However, for next year, the VRP were seeking to work more in themes, and so were identifying where the need and demand was greatest within Merseyside.

It was highlighted that there was some outstanding work going on across Merseyside but that this could be better coordinated.

Members were advised that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider Report CFO/002/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the publication of an independent UCLAN report entitled ‘Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic fire effluents – interim best practice’ and the recommendations made therein.

A presentation will be provided in support of this report.

Members considered Report CFO/002/21 of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, concerning the publication of an independent UCLAN report entitled ‘Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic fire effluents – interim best practice’ and the recommendations made therein.

Members were advised that the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), commissioned a report published in November 2020, titled “Minimising Firefighters Exposure to Toxic Effluents”. 

The research behind the report was comprehensive and contained a review of current and previous UK FRS’s decontamination processes and policies; and also a survey of over 10,000 firefighters.

Members were then provided with a presentation by GM Craig Whitfield – Health & Safety Manager, which provided the Committee with some background information, assurance around where MFRS was at present with regards to the report recommendations; and information regarding how MFRS proposed to move forward and the involvement of the HSE. 

It was highlighted to Members that the report made a number of recommendations, split into two areas. One being recommendations for FS personnel, with regards to individual responsibility; and the other being for FRS’s, in terms of looking at the broader picture, with regards to mechanisms, policies and procedures, to implement and support the recommendations.

Members were advised that the first recommendation for staff, was in relation to responsibility for protective equipment, such as breathing apparatus (BA). They were advised that the recommendation was very clear, in that during fire activities, respirators or BA, should be worn; and this is extended to post-fire, where crews are turning over, or dampening down materials that have been on fire. It stated that respirators should be the last piece of equipment to be disrobed, once they are out of the risk area. Members were assured that MFRS are compliant with this practice already.

Again, Members were assured that MFRS are ahead of this recommendation, with a clear and robust cleaning kit policy, already in place.

Members were informed that MFRS had been at the forefront in leading on some of the work around this since 2013/14, and so were in a good position when the report was published in November 2020.

Members were advised that MFRS have an established HS&W Committee, which a Joint Statement, signed by all relevant parties including Trade Union representatives, Occupational Health, and Health & Safety. Members were informed that the HS&W Committee meets on a quarterly basis; and is the driver of this work, with support from the H&S Department.

Members were advised that the Beureu Veritas research and report, was commissioned by MFRS in 2014/15; and resulted in the production of three papers. Members were advised that the reports produced by Beureu Veritas, went through the relevant Committees at the time; and were also shared nationally, again underpinning the lead role MFRS have taken in this area.

The presentation then highlighted “Tool Box Talks” developed by the H&S Team, to be delivered to all operational crews and station based Station Managers. Members were informed that this complimented the training recommendation within the UCLAN report.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To review the current Forward Work Plan for the Scrutiny Committee; and to consider the inclusion of any additional items for scrutiny, and the priority of any additional items.

Members reviewed the current Forward Work Plan for the Scrutiny Committee; and considered the inclusion of any additional items for Scrutiny, and the priority of any additional items. 

No further items for scrutiny, were identified by Members at this stage.