To consider Report CFO/038/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcomes of public consultation on the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) Supplement 2019/21; and to seek approval for the publication of the final, post-consultation version.

Members considered Report CFO/038/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcomes of public consultation on the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) Supplement 2019/21; and to seek approval for the publication of the final, post –consultation version.

Members were informed that this report demonstrates that MFRA have already taken on board the learning from the HMICFRS Inspection and are looking to apply that learning to make improvements.

Members were provided with an overview of the consultation process and the key findings from that consultation, including the fact that over 97% of consultees preferred the alternative IRMP proposals to those within the original 2017-20 IRMP proposals.

The main proposals were outlined to Members, which include:

·         Increasing the number of available fire appliances from 26 to 30.

(27 immediately available during the day with a further 3 available on a 30 minute recall; and 21 immediately available during the night with a further 9 available on a 30 minute recall).

·         Increase the number of firefighters from 620 to 642 ( plus 20 in training)

·         Maintain night time cover at Liverpool City and Wallasey Community Fire Stations, based on the introduction of a Hybrid Model.

·         Establish a ridership of 5 personnel at our 10 key stations.

·         Increase the Protection establishment by 5 Protection Officers; and the introduction of a Fire Engineer Role.

Members were advised that if these proposals are approved, it will be the first time since 2006 that firefighter numbers have increased. They were also informed that no other FRS in the Country is looking to increase their firefighter and appliance numbers, at this time; and the proposals combined will ensure that MFRS are providing a better service to the public.

Members welcomed the proposals, but in terms of finance, sought assurance that if approved, MFRA would not experience issues in the future.

Members were advised that the financial implications were discussed at the Budget Strategy Day in February; and would be discussed further at the forthcoming Strategy Day. They were assured that there are no proposals which cannot be sustained.

Members were advised that MFRA have high levels of debt and high levels of reserves. Therefore, it is proposed to utilise underspend and some reserves, in order to pay off some debt and release additional revenue, which will make the proposals sustainable. They were advised that this situation provides a real opportunity to invest in MFRS; and should we be faced with further austerity or issues in the future, we would only be in the same position as other FRS’s.

Members were also advised that the proposals around increasing the number of available appliances to 30, is based on the number of appliances often required at large incidents being around 20, plus the requirement to ensure that during such incidents, the 10 key stations can remain covered. This will ensure that MFRS is more resilient in the future.

Members were informed that a number of emergent risks are also addressed within the proposals.

The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that he was thrilled to be able to present these proposals to Members, as a means of re-investing in MFRS. 

Further re-assurance around the financial sustainability of the proposals, was provided to Members by the Treasurer; and Members were advised that if our plans and assumptions proved to be over-optimistic, as a worst case scenario, we would simply stop recruitment for a period of time.

Further questions were raised by Members in relation to whether all community fire stations would remain Safe Haven’s. It was confirmed to Members that they would, along with being reporting centres for Hate Crime and providing defibrillators for community use.

Members wholeheartedly commended the proposals; and thanked officers for their vision in identifying proposals which will meet the Authority’s objective of keeping Merseyside as safe as possible.

Members Resolved that:

a.    The responses to consultation, be noted as having been adequately considered by officers and reflected within the IRMP supplement 2019/21 (Appendix 1), where appropriate.

b.    Areas of the IRMP supplement, be noted as having a direct impact upon staff.  In line with all staffing matters the IRMP supplement has been the subject of additional staff consultation/negotiation. 

c.    The proposals within this IRMP supplement, be noted as having been subject to extensive public consultation.  The outcomes of these consultations have been attached as appendices to this report.

d.    The IRMP supplement for 2019/21 and its implementation - which will provide increased resources to the communities of Merseyside for the first time in many years, be approved.

e.    The IRMP supplement 2019/21, be approved for publication in a designed format.