DCLG: Future of Public Audit Consultation. Government Response and Summary of Responses
The Government's response to the findings of consultation on the future of local government audit in England has been published on the DCLG website.

An overview can be found at -
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localauditgovresponse

To directly access the relevant documents, follow the links below: -
Government Response

Summary of Responses

Guidance Relating to Trivial Commutation and Capitalisation for Death Gratuities for the 1992 and 2006 Firefighters' Pension Schemes and Guidance on Transfer Factors for Public Service Transfer Club.
The Government Actuary's Department (GAD) has issued new guidance relating to the above aspects of the firefighters' pension schemes.

GAD has also issued guidance on Transfer Factors for Public Service Transfer Club transfers to the 1992 and 2006 Firefighters' Pension Schemes.

1992 FPS Club Transfer Factors Guidance
2006 FPS Club Transfer Factors Guidance.

Cost Ceilings for Future Firefighters Pension Scheme and Treasury Document Explaining Government Public Service Pension Reform Proposals
Fire and rescue service stakeholders have now been provided with information about the cost ceilings for the new Firefighters Pension Scheme that will come into effect from 2015. Unrealistically, we are expected to agree general principles for a new scheme by the end of 2011; at the same time as other public service pension schemes which were told of their cost ceilings more than a month ahead of the fire and rescue service. We have requested an extension to the Government's deadline is more time is needed if we are to properly consider the available options and consult members before making a formal response.

Please see http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/tax_pensions_firefighters_051211.htm for information about Firefighters Pensions and http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pensions_publicservice_021111.pdf for the Treasury's overview document relating to public sector pensions.

English Fire and Rescue Framework 2012: Consultation Document Issued
The Department for Communities and Local Government has launched consultation on a draft National Framework Document to take effect during 2012.

The FOA will be submitting a response before the 19 March closing date and members are invited to contribute to this response by sending comment to head office by the end of February 2012

Information about the consultation is available from the DCLG website and a copy of the Draft Framework Document via that page or HERE.

Fire and Rescue Service Monthly Bulletin (England) 17/2011
FRSB 17/2011 This Bulletin contains information about: -
- The Localism Act
- Capital Grant Consultation Summary
- Council tax Freeze
- Fire Service College – Future Options
- Fire Safer Cigarettes
- Fire Statistics Great Britain, 2010-2011

FOA in Dispute over Pension Reforms
The Fire Officers' Association has found it necessary to reflect members' concerns by registering a trade dispute with the Westminster Government and UK Administrations in connection with proposals to: -

- Increase employee pension contributions
- Alter the terms and benefits of existing occupational schemes from 2015
- Alter the pensionable status of The Flexible Duty Supplement associated with the Flexible Duty System

Despite this action, we recognise that discussions with Government are continuing and we are keen to resolve the above areas of dispute through continued dialogue rather than ballot members with regard to taking some form of industrial action.

Scottish Public Pensions: Alex Salmond letter to public sector workers
The Scottish First Minister has written to public sector staff to explain the Scottish Government's position and approach towards increased pension contributions. Sadly, the Government intends to pass on the UK Government's funding reduction in the form of increased pension contributions, in line with the 3.2% average being applied in England. The Scottish Government will shortly be consulting on proposed increases over the next three years.

You can view a copy of the letter HERE.

Please note that the timescale is shorter than the consultation for England so any FOA members wishing to contribute to the FOA's response should send comments to Head Office by 1st November.

The Consultation paper is available HERE

Report of Scottish Working Group: "FiReControl Leaning the Lessons"
A Scottish stakeholder Working Group, at the request of the former Minister for Community Safety, Fergus Ewing. carried out a review of the development and implementation of the FiReControl project. This work set out to identify and highlight any lessons which need to be learnt from the process.
The Group's report contains recommendations that will be considered and applied by the Reform Programme Board, not just in the reform of Control Rooms, but also where relevant to the wider reform of the Scottish fire and rescue service.
The report is available form the Scottish Government web site -
.http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/fire-and-rescue-services/fire-reform/FiREControlreport

SCOTTISH SPENDING REVIEW 2011 AND DRAFT BUDGET 2012-13
The Scottish Finance Secretary, John Swinney, has announced the Scottish Government's spending plans for 2012-13. As expected, the news is not good.

Attacking the UK Government's spending cuts, Mr Swinney reported that some £1.3 billion has to be shed from Scottish public spending over the next year.

Some solace can be taken from his statement that there will be no compulsory redundancies within the public sector. With regard to the fire and rescue service (FRS), we can only hope that plans to create a single fire and rescue service in Scotland, will reduce costs to a level at which the quality of front-line service provision can be maintained..

The review also refers to public sector pensions and, whilst not wishing to make changes, the review acknowledges that the UK Government has reduced the Scottish budget by an amount equivalent to that which would need to be collected by the Treasury' imposed, across the board, 3.2% contributions increase by 2014. It now seems likely that, unless the Westminster Government changes its position, this money will be found through higher employee contributions.

You can see Mr Swinney's statement and the spending review document on the Scottish Government web site via the following links.

Finance Secretary's statement

Scottish Spending Review 2011

CONSULTATION ON FIREFIGHTER PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS
The Department for Communities and Local Government today issued consultation on the future level of Scheme members' contributions in England. The closing date for responses is 2nd December 2011.

Any FOA members wishing to contribute to the FOA's response should send comments to Head Office by Friday 18th November.

The CLG Press Release can be found at - http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1985334

The Consultation paper and accompanying 'Frequently Asked Questions' paper are at
- http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/firefighterpensioncontributions

Renewing Scotland: The Government's Programme for Scotland 2011-2012
SINGLE SCOTTISH FIRE AND POLICE SERVICES
The Scottish Government's has published its programme for Scotland 2011-2012. The document sets out the legislation for the coming year, as well as summarising the Government's key achievements and main goals for the future - both legislative and non-legislative.

From a fire and rescue perspective, the most significant element of the programme is the proposal to legislate for the creation of a single fire and rescue service for Scotland.

More information can be found in the Scottish Government's document: -
Renewing Scotland: The Government's Programme.

Met Office briefing note on the likelihood of severe winters in Scotland
The Scottish Government recently published a Met Office briefing on the likelihood of severe winter weather in Scotland over the next 20-30 years. This briefing note, prepared by the Met Office Chief Scientist, results from advice received from HM Government's Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir John Beddington, in December 2010 .

The document may be of interest to anyone involved with resilience matters.

Winter weather briefing note

Consultation Paper on Amendments to the 1992 and 2006 Firefighters' Pension Schemes
The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) is consulting on a number of proposed changes to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme and New Firefighters' Pension Scheme. These proposals include:-

- removal of rule A14, compulsory retirement on the grounds of efficiency
-changes to the indexation of additional pension benefits
- changes to the maximum commutation payment
- proposals to deal with potential age discrimination
- amendments to the medical and non-medical appeals processes
- abatement of pensions
- technical amendments and alignments with tax legislation.

The closing date for responses is 26 October 2011 and a copy of the consultation document is available from:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/consultationfirefighterspension

FSC Annual Conference on Fire-Related Research and Developments (RE11) at the Fire Service College on November 17 2011
Information about this forthcoming conference is available from the following links: -
Event Programme
Delegate information

Scottish FRS Circular 01/2011 Pensions Increase
SFRSC 01/2011 This circular advises on the pensions increase for 2011.

Christchurch Firefighters Earthquake Appeal
The Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand is running an appeal to raise money for firefighters in Christchurch who have been badly affected by the 22nd February earthquake. The fund is open to international donations.

We have been provided with a letter from the CEO of the United Fire Brigades’ Association, as well as a press release providing details of the fund. These are available below: -
CEO Letter
Press release

Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA): "Reaching the Hard to Reach" Conference
Subtitled 'How to strike the right balance in an unequal society', this conference will be held on Wednesday 30 March 2011 at ORT House Conference Centre, London NW1

Speakers include: -
·   Chair : Kevin Pearson Chief Fire Officer, Avon Fire and Rescue Service
·   Baroness Prosser Equality and Human Rights Commission
·   Professor Richard
·   Wilkinson Emeritus Professor of Social Epidemiology, University of Nottingham Medical
     School and Author of 'The Spirit Level : Why Equality is Better for Everyone'
·   Chief Superintendent Irene Curtis Vice President, Police Superintendents’ Association

Vitit the AFSA website for more information

Annual Conference on Fire-Related Research and Developments (RE11) , Thursday 17 November 2011 at the Fire Service College
The organisers of the above event, jointly supported by the Institution of Fire Engineers and the Fire Service College, are calling for proposals from anyone interested in proposing a presentation. The deadlines for applications is Friday April 29th 2011.
More information are contained in the downloadable document - "RE11 Call for Papers 0211.pdf"

It is widely accepted, amongst stakeholders, that the status quo will not remain and posts will be lost, it would be helpful. However, it may reduce anxiety amongst all staff ( uniformed and support) if the process were gradual with any reductions being achieved through natural wastage.  From the data being collected, it may actually show that within 2 to 3 years sufficient cost savings can be made through gradual amalgamation as retirements are made.

07/02/11

Incorporation of the Firefighters Memorial Trust by Royal Charter
As a member of the Firefighters Memorial Trust (formerly the Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust), the FOA is pleased to report that Her Majesty the Queen has granted a Royal Charter to the Trust . PLease see the Trust's web site for more information - www.firefightersmemorial.co.uk

"Fire Futures" - Publication of Sector-led reports
The Department for Communities and Local Government has published reports for each of the "Fire Futures" work-streams: -
• Chair's Foreword
• Role of the Fire & Rescue Service (Delivery Models) Report
• Efficiency, Effectiveness and Productivity Report
• Localism and Accountability Report
• Decentralisation in the fire sector Empowering and protecting the citizen

More information is available from the CLG website - http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/fire/1804267

Fire and Rescue (England) Revenue Support Grant 2011/12 & 2012/13
Information and consultation about future FRS funding is available from the under-noted files: -
• Minister's letter to FRA Chairs
• Detailed budget information
• Plain English Guide
Full information is available from the CLG website
http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/about/howwework/corporatereports/reportsaccounts/sr2010/

Fire and Rescue Service Pensions Circular (England) 08/2010
FPSC 08/2010 provides information on the following: -
(i) future pension indexation;
(ii) Valuation of both firefighter pension schemes;
(iii) Age discrimination;
(iv) changes to DCLG’s website and
(v) changes to the current structure of the Firefighters Pension Team.

Fire Futures: Bob Neill letter re. Progress
The UK Government's Fire Minister, Bob Neill has issued a letter to FRS stakeholders explaining that the Fire Futures work stream leaders will now report to him during December rather than November, as originally intended. A copy of this letter can be downloaded HERE.

Scottish Minster for Community Safety: Spending Review and Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services
This letter from Fergus Ewing sets out how the 17th November Budget will affect Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services and Scottish Resilience.

Scotland: Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2011-12: John Swinney letter to Conveners and Chief Fire Officers
This letter (copy available here) advises that the above Draft Budget is available from the Scottish Government website at - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18127

Fire and Rescue Service Immediate Bulletin 1, 20 October 2010: Spending Review
FRS IB 01/2010 This Bulletin informs the service that over a four year period, the reduction to formula grant, which makes up roughly 50 per cent of the overall spend for Fire and Rescue Authorities, will be 25 per cent. Reductions for Fire and Rescue Authorities are weighted to the second half of the spending review period, so that Fire and Rescue Authorities have time to prepare.

The overall extent of cost reduction confirms fears about future investment in the FRS. It is hoped that work being undertaken through the current Fire Futures review will identify ways to reduce costs whilst maintaining front-line services, however, at this time it is very difficult to see how this can be achieved when losing a quarter of current government funding. The FOA calls upon fire authorities and service leaders to work closely with staff and their representatives to find ways forward that minimise the impact on staff and communities whose safety depends on the presence of an effective fire and rescue service.

In today's letter to FRS stakeholders, the Fire Minister, Bob Neill, goes into more detail as will be seen from the following extract: -

"As a frontline service, the Fire and Rescue Service has been given some protection, although there will be tough choices for Fire and Rescue Authorities to make. Over the four year period the reduction to formula grant, which makes up roughly 50% of the overall spend, will be 25%. Importantly this will be back-loaded so that Fire and Rescue Authorities have the time to make the changes necessary to meet the reductions without impacting on the quality or breadth of services offered to their communities.

In the first year the formula grant reduction that will face Fire and Rescue Authorities collectively will be in single figures (in percentage terms), with the larger proportion of the cuts falling to years three and four. Fire and Rescue Authorities are going to have to swiftly transform their organisations and delivery of services. December's Local Government Settlement consultation will detail provisional figures for individual Fire and Rescue Authorities."

"Of course , it is for individual Fire and Rescue Authorities - not Central Government - to make local decisions on how to make savings. And Fire and Rescue Authorities already have a strong record of delivering efficiencies and a range of tools through which they could achieve much of the saving required. But areas where we believe significant savings can be found by fire and rescue services include , for example :

• Flexible Staffing Arrangements
• Improved sickness management
• Pay restraint and Recruitment freezes
• Shared services/back office functions
• Improved Procurement
• Sharing Chief Fire Officers and other senior staff
• Voluntary amalgamations

We have already taken steps to give Fire and Rescue Authorities more flexibility to do this - for example by not enforcing national workforce diversity targets; and not telling Fire and Rescue Authorities how to recruit and develop their staff.."

Independent Public Service Pensions Commission: Interim Report
The 'Hutton' Commission's interim report on public sector pensions was published today. At this time we are not making comment other than to say there are no real surprises in this report. Whilst any decisions about the future of public sector pensions will be made by ministers, it is likely that this and the Commission's final report (due spring 2011) will lead to proposals for increased employee contributions, an end to final salary schemes and increased retirement age. Members will be kept informed about developments that specifically affect their pension scheme.

A summary of the options contained in the report is provided below and more detailed information is available from the following links or the Commission's web site at: -
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/indreview_johnhutton_pensions.htm

Independent Public Service Pensions Commission: Interim Report (PDF 3.3MB)
Press notice: John Hutton publishes interim Public Services Pension report (PDF 144KB)

Short-term options
Ex.26 The issues around fairness, sustainability, promoting productivity and the need for transparency and simplicity mean there is a need to consider long-term structural reform of public service pensions. However, that reform will take time. Increased longevity, the imbalance between employer and employee contributions and the fact that total contributions may be too low if the discount rate is too high suggests there is a case to make short-term changes, pending long-term reform.

Ex.27 The Commission considered a range of options that may provide short-term savings, specifically:
- changing the benefits structure;
- contracting public service pension schemes into the State Second Pension; and
- increasing contribution rates.

Ex.28 Of these, the most effective way to make short-term savings is to increase member contributions and there is also a clear rationale for doing so.

Ex.29 It is a matter for the Government to decide the manner and level of any increases in contributions necessary. However, the Commission feels that any increases should be managed so as to protect the low paid and, if possible, increases in contributions should be staged and need to be considered with a view to preventing a significant increase in opt out rates. The Commission does not recommend introducing contribution rates for the armed forces at this time.

Long-term options
Ex.30 The current public service pensions structure was not designed for modern working patterns and has been unable to respond flexibly to changes in this area and to demographic change over the past few decades. This has led to:
- rising benefits due to increasing longevity;
- unequal treatment of members within the same profession;
- unfair sharing of costs between the employee, the employer and taxpayers; and
- not realising the potential for plurality in the ways public services are provided.

Ex.31 Long-term structural reform is needed, as these issues cannot be dealt with through traditional final salary defined benefit schemes. But neither can they be dealt with appropriately through a funded, individual account, defined contribution model for all employees, which would place a major financing burden on taxpayers, ignore the ability of Government as a large employer to manage certain types of risk and increase uncertainty of post-retirement income for scheme members, which is difficult in particular for the low paid to manage.

Ex.32 In the Commission’s final report a range of alternative structures will be considered. This will include a career average alternative to the current final salary defined benefit schemes. Drawing upon international experiences, alternatives such as Sweden’s use of notional defined contribution schemes and the Netherlands’ collective defined contribution schemes will be examined, as will risk sharing models, such as hybrid schemes that combine elements of defined benefit and defined contribution models. The Commission will also consider elements of scheme design, such as, ensuring normal pension ages are in line with the latest developments in longevity. This will enable the Commission to make a recommendation on a range of options to the Government, which can establish a more appropriate framework for public service pensions going forward.

Fire and Rescue Service: Operational Statistics Bulletin for England 2009-10
The latest Fire and Rescue Operational Statistics for England for 2009-10 have been released by the UK Statistics Authority. They are available for download from -
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/frsoperationalstats2009-10

Instructor vacancies at the Scottish Fire Service College, Gullane
Vacancies have been advertised for Watch Manager and applications are invited from -
• Substantive Crew Managers.
• Members of the Fire & Rescue Services who have the necessary skills, knowledge & experience appropriate to the role and who fulfil the requirements of the person specification in the vacancy notice.

More information is available from - Vacancy Notice 08/10

Click on the link to read the Newsletter. http://www.ess2010.com/newsletter.lasso

Loss of two colleagues in Hampshire
Tragically, Firefighters Alan Bannon and James Shears, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, lost their lives whilst attending a serious fire at a high-rise block of flats in Southampton on 6th April.

The deepest condolences of FOA members and officials are extended to the families, friends and colleagues of Alan and James who made the ultimate sacrifice for their community.

CLG FiReControl Committee - Fifth Report of Session 2009-10
This report contains the Committee's findings following its examination of the FiReControl Project during which the Committee considered both written and oral evidence.
The unsurprising conclusions include the following summarised points: -

- inadequate planning, poor execution and bad management of the project
- considerable doubt about whether the project can be delivered
- the project should continue given the already large investment of public funds

The latter being subject to concerns being addressed and the creation of a viable project plan in which stakeholders can have confidence. The Committee also calls for a communication plan to address negative perceptions of the project as well as a contingency plan for dealing with any future failures.

The conclusions are more related to the overall project rather than our key concerns about the treatment of staff and the uncertainty with which they have had to live for some considerable time. However, the FOA is pleased to see that the project's failings have now been identified and acknowledged.

We were under no illusions about the project's continuation since so much time and money had already been committed but we hope that, for the sake of staff, the recommendations will be acted upon to bring greater clarity about time scales and future employment prospects for existing staff.