Fundamental reform: what it could and should look like

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Murphy, P. ORCID: 0000-0001-8459-4448 and Lakoma, K. ORCID: 0000-0002-2583-3813, 2021. Fundamental reform: what it could and should look like. FIRE, 116 (1438), pp. 19-21. ISSN 0142-2510

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Abstract

In July 2020, the government announced a two-part review of PCCs and PFCCs. The first part was to report to the Secretary of State by October 2020 with the second part to commence after the forthcoming May 2021 local elections. As reported in October the first part was to focus on strengthening the ‘Commissioner’ model and in particular its accountability, resilience, legitimacy, and scrutiny mechanisms ahead of the May elections. The second part was to expand and strengthen the role of PCCs/PFCCs (and the mayoral variation) focussing on “longer-term reforms and the potential for wider efficiencies” with a view to implementation ahead of the 2024 elections.

Since October, the government, in addition to the reports and recommendations mentioned above, has received Sir Thomas Winsor’s second State of Fire and Rescue Report and Bob Kerslake’s Report into the Manchester Arena Attack, and has itself published its response to the Redmond Review. Priti Patel announced that further reform will focus on three areas “people; professionalism; and governance” and that “taken together improvements in these areas will help deliver higher standards and greater consistency across fire and rescue services”.

The Home Office will therefore be launching a consultative White Paper on fire reform later this year. Although it will set out the reform agenda in further detail focussing on people, professionalism and governance, the only further information in the Home Secretary’s statement related to governance.

Item Type:

Professional or trade journal contribution

Alternative Title:

Fire and Rescue reform

Publication Title:

FIRE

Creators:

Murphy, P. and Lakoma, K.

Publisher:

Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd.

Date:

14 May 2021