Decision details

Following the termination of the National Department of Communities and Local Government FiReControl project an options appraisal is required to be considered and a way forward determined for 999 call receipt and mobilising for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s functions.

Recommendations agreed as amended in bold and italics below:

Cabinet agreed, subject to the approval by Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Authorities of the further progression of the Joint Thames Valley Approach to:

(a)               endorse the progression of phase 1 of the joint Thames Valley programme (Improved Resilience)

(b)               Approve the necessary expenditure to create the Full Business Case which will be subject to further approval by the Cabinet in February 2012

(c)               Require the CFO to report back to the Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities on a regular basis concerning:

(1)   progress with the joint DCLG bid for the resilience grant funding

(2)   progress with Thames Valley partnership working arrangements

(3)   progress on the creation of a suitable governance structure

If either Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes or Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Authorities fail to approve the further progression of the Joint Thames Valley Approach in their Fire and Rescue Authority Meetings on the 28 September 2011 or if due to any parties subsequent choice not to enter into the Thames valley arrangement in February 2012 Cabinet is RECOMMENDED:                      to:

(d)       require the Chief Fire Officer to instigate appropriate actions to progress an alternative contingency plan, based on options 3 or 4 as identified in paragraph 21 in the report, subject to the approval of the Cabinet Member for Safer & Stronger Communities.