Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority Meeting
Thursday 27 June 2024
Public Questions and Responses
Public Questions
A member of the public may ask one supplementary question, arising from the answer in the original question, at the meeting.
There shall be a limit of 15 minutes upon the duration of the public question time at any one meeting, with no more than three minutes being allocated to each question.
Any question not considered at the meeting shall receive a written response.
Subject to the time limit for public question time, a member of the public may only ask up to three questions per meeting.
Copies of the questions will be circulated to all Members and will be made available to the public attending the meeting.
|
|
Questioner |
Respondent |
Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Mr Cruttwell (x2) |
Chair |
Recruitment Review |
|
|
Mr Mountain (x2) |
Chair |
Procedures Water Rescue
|
|
|
Mr Gregory (x2) |
Rejected as a public question but a written response sent |
Investigation Support |
Public Questions from Mr Cruttwell
- Could you please explain the process used, to help you decide which Area Manager would be most suited to act as Deputy Chief Fire Officer, while Chief Fire Officer Tomlinson was on sick leave and was CFO Tomlinson involved in the selection process in any way, even indirectly?
The Brigade Managers’ Appointments Panel, consisting of 5 Fire Authority members, interviewed the applicants and determined the appointment. The Chief Fire Officer Tomlinson was on sick leave and had no involvement in the selection process.
- The Acting Chief Fire Officer's email to me dated April 12th, 2024, suggested that Trevor Ainsworth’s internal commissioned report wasn't to reopen and reinvestigate individual complaints, but rather to identify patterns or broader issues. Including previous complaints in the data collection process could have yielded more robust outcomes in identifying these broader issues. So to better understand this approach, why weren't previous complaints considered when gathering information for the report on broader issues and patterns?
We have to have regard to use of public funds, and reviews can cost many thousands of pounds. Taking a proportionate approach, the intention was to take a broader view as to whether there was any evidence of a systemic and institutionalised culture of bullying. This was not to re-open previous investigations but, rather, consider evidence and identify areas for improvement. There were a number of recommendations made that the Service has taken on board and these form part of the Service action plans.
Supplementary question: When will you request a full investigation of bullying and harassment using external investigators to gather information on previous complaints?
We have had that done.
Public Questions from Mr Mountain
- If a complaint is received about a member of Derbyshire Fire authority, what steps are taken to investigate the complaint / complaints, and who decides the final outcome or resolution?
Full details of the process are contained in the Procedure for Considering Complaints against Members and a copy was sent to you on 14 April 2023.
- Why has the water rescue capability been reduced in Derbyshire and who decided this?
There has been no reduction since 2019. A lot of money has been spent on training and safety equipment since then.
Rejected Questions
Two Public Questions from Mr Gregory rejected under Standing Order 5.
- Why has no investigation been conducted into claims of bullying, intimidation, and harassment by colleagues, despite an email from the CFO saying it would be, and councillor Ainsworth promised to get back to me in writing, which 12 months later I still haven’t heard anything, please can the councillor explain why?
This question has been rejected because this relates to individual cases and, for the purposes of confidentiality, we do not comment on actions in relation to individual cases. A written response answering this question was provided to Mr Gregory on 21 June 2024.
- What provisions are in place to support ex or retired members of DFRS with mental health issues, and what provisions for ill health pensions relating to such issues are in place.
This question has been rejected because this is not about a matter for which the Fire Authority has a responsibility. It is a Service matter. A written response answering this question was provided to Mr Gregory on 21 June 2024.