The West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority (WMFRA) is preparing to review a new Governance Improvement Plan, which has just been published in advance of a special meeting scheduled for 16th June.

This plan is a direct response to an independent review carried out by Ed Hammond, Deputy Chief Executive at the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CFGS). The review was commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) and builds upon previous observations made by WMFRA’s external auditors. Mr Hammond’s assessment included in-depth interviews with authority members and officers, as well as a review of relevant policies and documentation.

To drive improvements, a Corporate Governance Improvement Board (CGIB) was set up earlier this year with support from the LGA. Chaired independently, the CGIB has used the findings from Mr Hammond’s review to develop a targeted and practical improvement plan.

The plan, alongside the original CFGS report, will be discussed at the upcoming special meeting, which takes place ahead of the authority’s annual general meeting and the start of the new municipal year.

Councillor Cathryn Bayton, Chair of WMFRA, said:
“Ed Hammond’s report highlights several important learnings. It identifies some of the significant challenges the authority faced in 2024, as well as some longer-term matters to be addressed. It also recognises numerous ‘areas of emerging strength and capability’ – a positive indication that we are taking steps in the right direction.
“The report also builds on the findings of our external auditors, which we have taken significant strides to address in recent months. The CGIB Improvement Plan is a great opportunity for the authority to strengthen how it works and enhance its decision-making and scrutiny capacity.”

Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill commented:
“I’m grateful for Ed Hammond’s and the CGIB’s work, which will enable the authority and the service to move forward in the coming months and ensure we all remain focused on why we are here: to keep the people of the West Midlands safe. Throughout challenging times in the last 18 months, my firefighters and all of our staff have continued to deliver great service. I am confident that will only continue.”

Zoë Billingham, the CGIB’s Independent Chair, added:
“I am delighted that we have been able to work so quickly to bring together this improvement plan.
“The plan is robust, and will take a lot of work to implement, but I’m pleased that the authority and service are gripping these matters. The board and I look forward to supporting the implementation of the plan, and to ensuring local communities see the necessary improvements.”

View the full Improvement Plan and CFGS Review of Governance.

View the source.

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