To consider the Service Delivery Plan 2025-26 Quarter 3 October – December Update (CFO/45/2526).

Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle presented the Service Delivery Plan for October to December 2025, it was highlighted that Fire Control had received 18,912 emergency calls from April to December 2025, an increase of 2,514 on the previous year, and that 97% of 999 calls were answered within 10 seconds, achieving the 96% target. He reported to Members that the 2025 bonfire period recorded the lowest deliberate secondary activity, with 123 incidents attended, 50 fewer than two years earlier, and noted that planning for the next Operation Bangor had already commenced.

Members were advised that carbon output for all buildings was lower than quarter two and well below the target, reflecting investment in air source heat pumps and photovoltaic cells. It was reported that overall sickness absence at the end of quarter three was 5.3%, exceeding the 4% target and higher than the previous year. The Chief Fire Officer noted that long term mental health and musculoskeletal conditions remained the main contributors and that Officers were reviewing data, benchmarking, and current interventions to identify improvements.

The Chief Fire Officer, highlighted that work was underway to strengthen the management of other duties staff, including improved recording, bringing staff into headquarters where appropriate, and identifying roles that supported wellbeing and contribution. Members were advised that although sickness levels remained high, the service continued to perform strongly. It was highlighted that the Authority had chosen to retain the existing sickness target rather than reduce it and would continue efforts to improve attendance over the next 12 months.

Councillor Hanratty noted that sickness and absence levels remained high despite the work of the Task and Finish Group and the extensive support provided by the Authority. He expressed concern that mental health related absence had not improved and asked what further measures could be taken to reduce sickness and support staff. The Chief Fire Officer highlighted that the Authority’s Occupational Health provision, particularly for mental health, was exceptional. Members were reminded that the decision not to raise the sickness target would not reflect the seriousness of the issue.

The Chief Fire Officer advised Members that work was underway to improve support for non-operational staff and noted that some absences were linked to delays in medical treatment. It was highlighted the impact of an ageing workforce due to pension changes and stated that the Authority might need to expand day related roles in future to support older operational staff.

Councillor Hanratty raised concerns about the impact of increased retirement ages on firefighters’ physical and mental capability to carry out operational duties. He asked whether national data existed to show how this change was affecting fire and rescue services across the country.

The Chair, Councillor James Roberts, noted that sickness absence data was sensitive but asked what benchmarking information was available and whether this was something the Authority could undertake or whether it required action by the Ministry. The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that benchmarking was carried out across the wider fire and rescue sector and that the Authority’s performance was comparable with other services.

In relation to Special Service calls, Councillor McManus referred to page 43 and queried whether the Service redirected emergency calls to other agencies, such as the police or ambulance, when appropriate. He also raised a further query regarding sickness trends shown on page 58 and queried what early interventions were available to staff. The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that the Service did not discourage Special Service calls and always responded where assistance was needed. He stated that calls were redirected to the appropriate agency when the Service was not the lead responder.

The Chief Fire Officer reassured Members that the Authority had a high?quality, award?winning occupational health service. He stated that a wide range of support was available, including physiotherapy and other treatments where appropriate, with the priority being to help staff return to work safely and promptly. It was noted that staff feedback consistently rated occupational health as outstanding.

Councillor Byrom added that the occupational health system had been developed to ease access to medical support where NHS routes could be slow, enabling referrals to doctors and physiotherapists through the Authority’s own resources. He stated that while he was less certain about alternative therapies, physiotherapy and similar interventions were routinely offered outside the normal NHS system.

RESOLVED that;

a)         the contents of the report be noted; and

b)         the attached Service Delivery Plan updates (Appendices A - J) for publication on the website be approved.