Information

1 Welcome and introductions.

Attendees:
PFCC Danielle Stone (DS)
Marianne Kimani (MK)
Jonny Bugg (JB)
Paul Fell (PF)
Stuart McCartney (SMc)
CFO Nikki Watson (NW)
ACFO Phil Pells (PP)
ACO Paul Bullen (PB)
Nick Alexander (NA)

Minutes and decisions of previous meeting
– The Chief Fire Officer provided an update on the work relating to the resources relating to recruitment and the proposed timescales.

PART 1

Standards of Response

The Chief Fire Officer updated the meeting and noted this issue had been consulted on during the development of the CRMP and the position was positive. The Service updated the meeting in relation to response times and noted there was not one simple fix but lots of issues to consider but explained the overall situation was improving. The Commissioner asked where improvements were being made. The service noted one area was responding to RTCs but work was being undertaken to better understand the data. The Chief Fire Officer explained that national performance tables were available which would be shared with the Commissioner. The Chief Fire Officer explained the service were looking at getting the right resources in place to improve response times and the work regarding modelling will help to deliver further improvement. The Service then briefed the meeting on the work relating to the implementation of new IT to support the delivery of front line services and the related training needed as the Service are not always the first emergency service called. The Commissioner noted the need for good partnership work to help support the Service when they deploy

Assurance Statement:
The Commissioner was assured that the Service was undertaking constructive and positive work in relation to improve the standards of response achieved by the Fire and Rescue Service. She felt the work outlined and the overall oversight now in place underline the optimism that they will help drive forward improvements. She agreed that the data provided and discussed suggested a positive early picture relating to the new graduated standards of response.

Efficiency – Forecast Funding

It was noted that Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue is one of worst funded services in the country but had a high spend on overtime. The Chief Fire Officer was asked to explain the background to this situation. The Chief Fire Officer responded and explained that the service were exploring and implementing a numer of measures to address this high spend. It was stated the the smaller part of theis overtime spending was as a result of a requirement to remain on duty at ongoing incidents and the bulk was as a result of pre planned overtime for the provision of cover.
It was also explained that the service were linking in with national teams to better understand the data relating to the use of overtime within the service. The Commissioner explained that how the service manage risk was important to her as well as ensuring staff were happy. The Chief Fire Officer explained staff were monitored to ensure they don’t work too much overtime and become burned out. The Service were also looking at the productivity of stations and local risks to get a clearer picture to set benchmarks for performance.

Assurance statement:

The Commissioner noted that the scoping work being undertaken could be transformational for the whole service and welcomed the approach being taken. She was assured that the service was taking this issue seriously and was suuportive of the work being delivered.

PART 2

Fire Standards Annual Update

The Service explained that a great deal of work was being undertaken across the organisation in relation to the 19 standards and 1384 related actions. The Service explained how the work is being assigned, tracked and reported on internally.
There were good levels of local compliance with the 19 standards. There were substantial levels of compliance in some areas, including safeguarding.
The processes for the receipt and assessment of standards was positive as were the links between the Fire Standards and HMICFRS inspections.

Assurance Statement:

The Commissioner was assured that the work being undertaken was highly professional and was supportive of the thorough and structured approach being adopted to this important area of work.

Annual complaints, discipline and misconduct update

The Service explained the systems and process currently in place and noted that more complaints were now being made through HR which demonstrated growing trust and confidence in reporting complaints, as this meant there was confidence about not using just confidential routes. Public complaints are routed through the OPFCC’s Customer Service Team. The Assistant Chief Officer explained that meetings take place quarterly to review the issues, examine any blockages and how to address them. The Commissioner asked how many complaints are received. In response the Assistant Chief Officer explained that the latest figures up to June 2025 showed that 43 had been received which was felt to be an encouraging sign of confidence in the system. The Assistant Chief Officer outlined some of the themes such as inappropriate behaviour, bullying and dishonesty within the service and more work is being undertaken in relation to how complaints are dealt with. He also explained that any complaints considered as gross misconduct are looked at independently. The Commissioner asked if any patterns had been identified, the Assistant Chief Officer explained that language not in line with the Code of Ethics had been identified as an issue. The Commissioner explained that such language needs to be challenged. In response the Assistant Chief Officer explained such language was being challenged through training and nationally, the service is in a good place.
The Commissioner questioned the references to dishonesty and it was reported that these had been in relation to reports of people claiming allowances to which they were not entitled, but once explored there did not appear to be any foundation in this.
The Commissioner asked about complaints from the public and it was explained that they were largely about civility but not many come through to the service.

Assurance Statement:
The Commissioner was assured that the service was taking this issue seriously and felt that the work to establish a more robust complaints process was delivering real improvements with more people confident in raising issues within the service. She also noted that despite the poor funding settlement for the service, they continue to deliver innovative new approaches to improving overall performance.

3. AOB

No further business was raised