Staffordshire's Fire and Rescue Service rated as ‘Performing and Improving Well' by Audit Commission
| Published: 31st January 2008 14:41 |
The outlook is good for the County's Fire and Rescue Service, with the new Assessment by the Audit Commission which rates the Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority as Improving Well and providing an overall ‘performing well‘ measure in the latest round of service assessments. The Service was assessed in three key areas:
What progress the Authority has made over the last twelve months (the Direction of Travel), how the Authority manages its finances and provides value for money (the Use of Resources) and how the Authority delivers its service (service assessment)
The 2007 Direction of Travel indicator shows the Authority as improving well, and the Audit Commission are equally positive regarding the Authority's prospects for continued improvement in the future. The Fire and Rescue Authority has an action plan to address the areas for development which they are already showing improvement.
The Audit Commission notes: It (the Authority) displays good performance in delivering the national framework and has robust and ambitious plans for further improvement. These are supported by strong leadership and political engagement; robust planning, governance, performance management and financial arrangements are in place".
In terms of the Authority's Use of Resources, the assessment has improved from the 2006 score, and is now considered to be ‘Performing Well'. This area examines the Authority's financial accounting and reporting arrangements, how well the Authority plans and manages its finances and confirms the Authority achieves value for money.
In the overall Service Assessment, the performance is also rated as ‘Performing Well'. The Audit Commission comments "Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is performing well in most areas of service delivery, and particularly strongly in its prevention and protection work. The Service has a wide range of partnerships, interventions and initiatives at every level of the organisation. Staff are encouraged to engage with their local communities and have stretching targets set within Local Area Agreements. Managers are strongly supported by Members and work closely with them in support of a range of impressive community safety initiatives....."
Alan Doig, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service commented: "The Audit Commission assessment demonstrates again that the people living and working in Staffordshire are receiving an effective and efficient service that provides value for money. I am pleased that the developments and improvements in our systems and processes have been recognised and that we have received another sound endorsement of our Service and our potential to improve still further. The staff of the Fire and Rescue Service will be encouraged by this Assessment which provides external and comparative evidence that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is in good shape, and aiming for Excellence in all its planning, operations, and most importantly, the service it provides to our communities."
Cllr Derek Davis, Chairman of the Authority, said "Alan Doig has led a significant programme of modernisation and improvement within our Service over the nine years that he has been Chief, and it is pleasing that the excellent work undertaken by our staff has been recognised so very positively by the Audit Commission. There is of course, still much to be done. Not least of all is the ambitious programme of new fire station developments across the County, which together with the refurbishment of all the other stations will provide the largest ever investment in our Service. Both I, and the incoming new Chief Fire Officer, Peter Dartford are confident that our service development and improvement plans will deliver even better performance, and we are very excited about the opportunities we will have to contribute to improving the lives of those we serve.
For non emergency enquiries about Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service or to be considered for a free Home Fire Risk Check contact: 08451 22 11 55 or log onto: www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk or www.firekills.gov.uk In an emergency dial 999.
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