To consider the report relating to the Staff Survey Results 2024-25 (CFO/84/24).

Chief Fire Officer, Nick Searle introduced the Staff Survey 2024-25 report which included a summary of the results provided by People Insight, who had conducted the survey on behalf of the Authority.

Members noted that the 2024-25 report had been benchmarked against the Authority’s engagement results during the 2022 survey. Members acknowledged that it had been the sixth engagement survey which had taken place at the Authority. Members were advised that People Insight had also provided engagement surveys to 33% of Fire Rescue Services in the UK.

It was advised that the survey response rate was 41%, (422 of staff) and Members were advised that this was an improvement on 32% during 2022. Future methods were discussed to improve response rates in years to come.

Members attention was drawn to the results and questions contained on page 309 of the report. Chief Fire Officer, Nick Searle advised Members that the Strategy and Performance directorate were working on uploading comments and suggestions on the Authority’s intranet page.

Councillor Byrom highlighted the insightful opportunity for Members who dialled in to retrieve the results for the staff survey via Teams. He discussed the high engagement score, expressing the importance of listening to staff and continuing to gain increased engagement. He suggested that the results of the Staff Survey be referred to the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration. Monitoring Officer, Ria Groves explained that the suggestion had already been a topic within the current municipal year. However, Scrutiny Members could agree in the next municipal year to consider the results further.

The Chief Fire Officer discussed the importance of the high 88% engagement score result, which would encompass the direction of travel for the future results. It was noted that data analysis was compiled and benchmarked, and that comments were shared with individual directors anonymously. It was mentioned that this would help guide ongoing enhancements to the Authority's future strategies. 

Councillor Murray drew attention to page 303, where she inquired as to the differences in percentages with the response rate score at 41%, yet the staff survey was 88%. The Chief Fire Officer clarified that 41% of the Authority’s staff took part in survey, which then presented an engagement score of 88%.

With regards to improvement, Councillor Murray noted that efforts to stress participation amongst staff were needed to explain how important the feedback was.

Members were assured that the Authority had achieved the highest response rate so far but would strive for higher engagement levels and efforts from staff in the years to come. It was explained that the Authority had donated £2 to the Firefighters Charity for each survey completed an additional incentive.

Councillor Murray advised that she would praise the Authority’s efforts in encouraging staff with charitable donations at her future meetings at her Local Authority.

Councillor Wood queried whether was any additional level of feedback and work after comments were published, as it was noted that some staff could potentially identify themselves.

The Director of Strategy and Performance, Deb Appleton advised that over 2000 free text comments were received, and data analysis and confidentiality had been considered to assess whether staff had unintentionally identified themselves. It was noted, if applicable, that this would be redacted. Members noted that the feedback given to each department was very detailed and had a further breakdown consisting of the way staff felt, without breaking anonymity.

Deb Appleton highlighted that People Insight had carried out surveys for a substantial proportion of Fire Services, and other local companies and Local Public Sectors noting that the Authority had detailed that staff felt connected to the service and would recommend it as a place to work.

Councillor Les Byrom noted that HMICFRS would also comment on the Staff Survey Results and provide feedback around response rates.

RESOLVED that the survey outcomes be noted.

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