Minutes:
Sargent Graham Saville – Members will have followed closely the recent news and tragic loss of Sargent Graham Saville, a loss felt across the whole emergency services family. Our continued sympathies are with his family and colleagues at this time. It is a sobering reminder of the dedication blue light services have to communities.
Alex Norris MP – recent announcements to the shadow cabinet saw Nottingham MP, Alex Norris appointed to the role of Shadow Minister for Policing. This clearly provides an opportunity for the Fire Authority to lobby and influence for the interests of the Fire and Rescue Service. A letter will be sent to Alex Norris to arrange a meeting to discuss the challenges faced.
Chair and Chief Officer meeting – Along with the Chief Fire Officer (CFO), the Chair met with our counterparts from Derbyshire as part of a long standing arrangement to build relationships. This forms part of the Futures 25 programme recommendations approved by Members in 2022. From that meeting it was agreed that a joint Member event would be arranged and that the CFO’s should develop a vision of closer working for discussion.
His Majesty’s Inspector, Lee Freeman – Due to recent changes, the Chair and CFO recently met the Service’s new HMI Inspector, Lee Freeman, who also had opportunity to meet with representatives of staff networks and trade unions. The discussions were positive and meaningful in creating a good first impression, particularly as the Service heads towards its next inspection in early 2024.
Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA) conference 2024 – Following discussions with the CFO, AFSA have invited Nottinghamshire to host the 2024 summer conference and the CFO has accepted. This is likely to be in early July and further updates will be provided as arrangements develop. This is a great opportunity to Showcase the Service, share learning from across the whole sector and support the journey of improvement.
CFA Report template – At the latest Group Leader meeting, a revised report template was agreed, a copy of which will be circulated to Members. Changes include the moving of Crime and Disorder Implications into the Legal Implications section, addition of Environmental and Sustainability Implications, and expanding the Equalities section to include an Ethical aspect. It is aimed to better reflect the 6 strategic goals within the Authority’s Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP).
Becky Smeathers, Head of Finance and Treasurer to the Authority
This meeting is Becky Smeathers’ last Fire Authority meeting as she will be leaving the Service soon. Heartfelt thanks go to Becky for her service and support as Head of Finance and Treasurer to the Authority. The past few years have been incredibly challenging, but Becky has provided first class support throughout and been brilliant at ensuring that finance reports are clear and understandable. We wish Becky good luck in her future role.
This sentiment and thanks were echoed by Councillor John Clarke, Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee, Councillor Sybil Fielding as a Pensions Board member, and Councillor Jonathan Wheeler as Lead Officer for the Opposition, who added that Becky would be missed both professionally and personally. Other members of the Authority also expressed their appreciation of Becky’s dedication and professionalism.
Becky responded that working for the Service had been a real pleasure and the move was for personal reasons rather than professional.