To consider Report CFO/074/13 of the Chief Fire Officer concerning outcomes of public consultation on the 2013-16 Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) and approval for the publication of the final post-consultation version of the IRMP 2013/16.

Members considered report CFO/074/13 including appendices A-L, of the Chief Fire Officer, regarding the Post Consultation Report IRMP 2013 -16, which contained the outcomes of public consultation on the 2013-16 Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) and sought approval for the publication of the final post-consultation version of the IRMP 2013/16.

The Chief Fire advised Members that, despite criticism in the Fire Futures Report of a protectionist approach to Firefighter jobs, he stood by his previous professional recommendation to the Authority, to keep all fire stations open at this time. 

The Chair asked Union representatives present if they would like to make comment to this report.

Representatives from Fire Officers Association and Fire Brigades Union advised the Authority that they are aware of the issues faced and agreed that they had been fully engaged in consultation.

Resolved that:

a)        Responses to consultation have been adequately considered and are reflected within the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2013/16, where appropriate.

b)        The Integrated Risk Management Plan 2013/16 be approved for publication on 27^th June 2013 noting in particular, that it reflects its challenging budget position and that in order to balance the books (despite maximising the savings from back office and support services and having a council, tax increase) that  £3m in cuts still had to be  identified from front line services. 

c)         That the IRMP reflects a fundamental review of fire cover undertaken by the Chief Fire Officer that will deliver a cut of £3m the key points following consultation that members are approving are :-

§    A reduction of 90 fire-fighter posts

§    Keeping  all our fire stations open at present

§    There will be a 33% cut in the number of fire appliances immediately available from 42 to 28.

§    We are introducing a standard response time standard across Merseyside of 10 minutes (on average the first response to an incident will be much faster)

d)        The Authority’s commitment to ensuring that the impact of the changes on the communities of Merseyside are minimised and Firefighter safety maximised, be re-affirmed, noting that the IRMP makes reference to four specific issues that will have significant impact upon our staff.  In line with all staffing matters these are the subject of additional staff consultation/negotiation. 

e)        Prior to any implementation (and in line with normal practice) the Authority expects the Chief Fire Officer to exercise his full delegated responsibility for completing those consultations/ negotiations and managing the  implementation of the new fire cover model, in order to deliver the savings and efficiencies in a timely manner and in a way that minimises risk.

f)          The Authority further notes that many of the changes proposed may be challenging for staff, which may mean that it is difficult to reach agreement, therefore The Authority;

                                   i.             Expects the CFO to consider the appropriateness of the resolution process, as set out in the grey book, and indeed the full range of processes available to the Authority, as employer, in order to achieve the required outcomes, and;

                                    ii.        Request the Chief Fire Officer to report back on the outcomes from the detailed consultations on all these matters as appropriate.

g)    Appreciation on behalf of the Authority, be expressed to all Unions, for their dialogue and support, and advised that the Authority continues to do their best for all

h)     Dale Hall from Opinion Research, be formally thanked for hosting their IRMP Consultation events