In order to meet those responsibilities the Authority is committed to and maintains a robust and effective corporate planning process that brings together the corporate level business strands of finance, planning, risk, performance and communication.
Whilst each strand is important to the organisation it is the plans, planning arrangements and associated links that support the continued and future success of the organisation. Planning is fundamental to leading and managing any organisation and becomes more important when that organisation is an emergency service responsible for protecting many lives. With this in mind, the Authority will take action to ensure the process remains fit for purpose and effective in delivering and excellent fire and rescue service.
Long Term Strategic Direction
The Service's vision and direction set in 2007 projects forward ten years to where the organisation should be in relation to all matters affecting the Authority, or elements of the environment in which it operates. The long-term strategic direction forms the over arching document to guide the development of Service Strategies and will be considered and reviewed at annual strategic assessment.
Long Term Strategic Direction 2007 and Beyond (.PDF)
Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP)
The Combined Fire Authority CRMP is used to annunciate the Authority's vision and provides an outline of our aims, priorities and strategic objectives. A high level action plan sets out the strategic initiatives that have been generated following strategic assessments and after identifying and evaluating community risks.
A twelve week statutory public consultation on the proposals was conducted which was completed in February 2009. The results informed the priorities and projects that the service will deliver over the next few years.
The purpose of the CRMP is to ensure that the organisation is aligned with the Authority's vision and all personnel understand what needs to be done to achieve it. In addition, the Plan sets the organisational values and other considerations necessary to support effective corporate governance.
Community Risk Management Plan 2009-2012 (.PDF)
Annual Performance Report
We are pleased to introduce the Combined Fire Authority’s Annual Performance Report. In previous years the Authority was required, under Best Value legislation to publish outturn performance date on Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPI's). However, Best Value Performance Indicators ceased to exist with effect from 31 March 2009.
The Local Government White Paper, Strong and prosperous Communities published in October 2006, signalled a change in the way local public services are expected to work together. In particular, there are requirements to ensure that all partners engage in and deliver on a shared agenda for their communities, through Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP). Best Value Performance Indicators have been replaced with a set of National Indicators. There are three National Indicators (NI) that are particularly relevant to the Authority these are:
- NI 33 - Arson Incidents (Deliberate Fires);
- NI 47 and NI 48 - Persons Killed or Seriously injured in Road Traffic Accidents; and
- NI 49 - Total Number of Primary Fires (PF) and PF Fatalities and Non Fatal Casualties.
Outturn performance data for the National Indicators above are published in the end of year performance report.
Performance Plan - End of Year Report 2009-2009 (.PDF)
Code of Corporate Governance
In accordance with CIPFA/SOLACE Governance Framework document, the Fire Authority has adopted a Code of Corporate Governance.
Code of Corporate Governance (.PDF)