Issue - meetings

A report presenting the outcome of the public consultation and rationale for the future Operating Model of the WFRS.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Andy Crump

This item was considered first on the agenda.

Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue, outlined the report which proposed Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Services future operating model.  He reminded Members that the report had been considered at the Resources and Fire and Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee in June 2024, where Members had heard from a number of public speakers.

Councillor Crump outlined the lengthy consultation process that had taken place across the County, the interested parties involved and the level of responses received.  The feedback from residents had resulted in the different model being proposed.  He advised that should there be any changes to the community risk management plan, these would be submitted to full Council. 

Councillor Crump explained the four challenges currently being faced by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS) and described how the alternative model, 2A, aimed to overcome these challenges.  The benefits included a guaranteed fourteen fire appliances in the day and thirteen at night, first engine response times would be improved on average by 58 seconds and an increased capacity to deliver Prevention and Protection activity.  In addition, an additional 30 wholetime firefighter positions would be created.

The report detailed the £1.757m funding required to fund Model A, from the Revenue Investment Fund, for the three year resourcing model proposed.

Councillor Seccombe thanked all involved for a very thorough and comprehensive report and consultation process.  She referred to the changing demography of the area along with the previous challenges faced in recruiting more on-call firefighters.  Councillor Seccombe paid credit to the community of Bidford whose input had helped to shape the model being put forward.  In response to Penny Barry’s question, she advised that she did feel this was a solution that met the needs of a changing society with less fire incidents and more road traffic incidents being experienced. 

The Leader concluded by commending the staff of WFRS, full time and on call, for the work they carried out to help people continue to stay safe in their own homes.

Councillor Sarah Boad also commended the consultation process, which she felt had been carried out well and taken seriously by all participants.  She thanked the portfolio holder for the additional information requested at the recent scrutiny meeting but queried some of the detail in the heat maps for the southeast area of Warwickshire.  She also referred to the presence of tower blocks in her area, the time it may take a second fire engine to attend and the loss of 24-hour cover in Kenilworth.

Councillor Boad raised a concern about the finances and where this money may be sourced from in future years.  She concluded by acknowledging the potential loss of employment for on-call fire fighters and the experience they would take with them.  She reiterated her request that the consultation exercise be repeated as she felt this plan was radically different from the initial proposal.

Councillor John Holland was impressed with the quality of the Fire Service and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9