Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Public Heath, Inequalities and Community Safety

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/275

Contact: Rob MacDougall, Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety

rob.macdougall@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by the Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety (CA11)

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report and approve the suggested approach of monitoring improvements.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet considered a report which provided an update on the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue HMI report, focusing on areas required for improvement and the approach developed to ensure robust governance and performance reporting against the agreed action plan. This included the development of the fire improvement pipeline and the Fire Improvement Board. 

Councillor Dr Nathan Ley, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, presented the report. The inspection of the Fire and Rescue Service had identified 26 areas for improvement and acknowledged 32 positive statements about the service's strengths. The service has already addressed 6 of the 26 recommendations, including improvements in fire survival guidance, risk information, and building inspections. 8 recommendations were currently being addressed through existing service delivery plans. The remaining areas for improvement have been integrated into the Fire Improvement Pipeline, a dynamic document prioritizing work based on risk and capacity. The new Fire Improvement Board would scrutinise all work areas within the improvement pipeline, focusing on HMI recommendations. The board would report regularly to the Place Scrutiny Committee and provide annual progress updates.

Councillor LeyHighlighted the importance of addressing the identified areas for improvement to maintain public trust and confidence in the Fire and Rescue Service.

Councillor Ley moved and Councillor Howson seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED to note the report and approve the suggested approach of monitoring improvements.