Written - Fire and Rescue Services Risk Reduction Plans

As Assembly Members have expressed an interest in this matter, I thought it would be useful if I were to provide details of the latest position.

The Fire and Rescue National Framework for Wales commits the Welsh Assembly Government to introduce guidance on risk reduction planning during 2006 for implementation in 2007-08.

Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) Risk Reduction Plan (RRP) Guidance was issued by the Welsh Assembly Government on 21 March 2006. This guidance provides strategic direction necessary for Authorities to reduce both corporate and community risk in a structured way whilst embracing the increased emphasis on prevention.  FRAs are encouraged to integrate their services within the wider social justice agenda, whilst allocating their resources according to risk.  

Our guidance also states that all FRA proposals contained in their RRP must be based on robust evidence and subjected to full public and stakeholder consultation. FRAs must also demonstrate they have taken account of consultation responses in developing and agreeing their final plan.

South Wales FRA undertook their consultation from June to August 2006. The Authority subsequently met on 9 October and agreed to adopt their draft RRP with some amendments as a result of their consultation. Amendments to their final plan included the requirement to maintain a minimum of two fire engines in the Cefn Fforest and Bargoed area at any one time. A decision was taken not to move a fire engine from Cardiff Central to Ely as it was deemed to have marginal benefits, and the relocation of certain operational posts would be evaluated following a review in April 2007.

North Wales FRA consulted between June and September 2006 and met on 23 October to consider their plan which was also adopted in its entirety with no amendments being made.

Mid and West Wales FRA published their consultation from July to September 2006 and following the review of the consultation responses, agreed their RRP in its entirety with no amendments at the Authority meeting on 31 October 2006.

I have written to the Chair of Mid and West Wales FRA expressing my concern over the long-term implications of some of their proposals given the industrial development taking place in West Wales, particularly the development of LNG. This is also an issue that has been raised by members of the public as a very real concern to the communities of Mid and West Wales.

I have also asked each FRA to give careful consideration to the implementation and media strategies they propose adopting in relation to their RRP, to ensure, that the Authorities can demonstrate that public concerns in the communities have been fully addressed.

In undertaking this I have considered the need to balance the necessity to scrutinise decisions to ensure propriety with the freedom that FRAs have as autonomous bodies with the statutory responsibility to secure fire and rescue services within their area. I expect all decisions taken by statutory bodies to have been taken on the basis of robust evidence and in consultation with local communities and other interested groups. Operational matters continue to be the preserve of the FRA.