Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 November 2022

ITEM 3

Present:

• Cllr Ged Potter (Chair)
• Cllr Kevin Gillott
• Cllr Nigel Gourlay
• Louise Taylor – Solicitor/Monitoring Officer
• Clive Stanbrook – Area Manager Community Safety & Central Policy
• Mandy Marples - Derby City Council/CMAP
• Hannah McDonald - Derby City Council/CMAP
• Mark Nash – Head of Corporate Financial Services
• Andrew Kemp – Station Manager Business Change/Comms

Committee Clerk:     Leanne Mellors

1. APOLOGIES

• Cllr Sue Burfoot, Cllr Jack Woolley
• Simon Allsop – Director of Finance/Treasurer
• Robert Taylor – Deputy Chief Fire Officer
• Judi Beresford – Director of Corporate Services
• Fiona Cragg - Organisational Governance Officer

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 5 SEPTEMBER 2022

The Minutes were reviewed. Members confirmed the minutes as an accurate record.   

4. INTERNAL AUDIT PROGRESS REPORT 2022/23

M Marples from Central Midlands Audit Partnership presented Members with the Internal audit progress report for 2022/23, providing evidence of the progress made on the audit assessments as of 31 October 2022. It was confirmed, there were no audit assignments finalised in this report period but the Anti-fraud and Corruption Audit had now been completed and a Report is now in draft.  

Audit plan change - The Governance and Ethics Audit for 2022/23 was initially going to focus on Cultural Change within the Service. Following discussions with senior management, the audit area has been refined to focus solely on recruitment as being unable to recruit effectively to the Service is currently a key risk.

Outstanding actions on recommendations were highlighted, but assurance was provided to Members as to ongoing work and the timescales for completion of work on these.

Members noted the report and recommendations.

5. DELAY TO EXTERNAL AUDIT 2021/22

M Nash, Head of Corporate Financial Services informed Members of the Official Notification Statement issued by external auditors, Ernst and Young, regarding the final accounts being missed for the second year running. Both the 2020/2021 and the 2021/2022 accounts currently remain open. 

Ernst and Young LLP have since appointed a new Audit Manager and progress will continue to be monitored by Members.

Action: The Solicitor/Monitoring Officer to produce a letter on behalf of GPWG to Ernst and Young raising our concerns.

Action: The GPWG Chair  to meet with the Ernst and Young panel and representatives.

Members noted the report and agreed actions.

6. CONSULTATION ON EXTERNAL AUDIT APPOINTMENT 2023-24

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority opted into the national auditor appointment arrangements and the PSAA is responsible for appointing an external auditor. M Nash, Head of Corporate Financial Services confirmed that following the outcome of the procurement to let audit contracts from 2023/24 Grant Thornton UK LLP was successful in winning a contract in the procurement, and this firm is to be appointed as the auditor of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority for five years from 2023/24. Members noted the report and action to be taken.

7. CORPORATE RISK DASHBOARD (FIREVIEW)

C Stanbrook – Area Manager Community Safety & Central Policy, presented the live Corporate Risk Register to Members, highlighting the action currently taking place in preparation for potential industrial action, including the recruitment of Reservists. An agreement is being put in place to use the aid of Police Control for taking emergency calls for the Fire Service.  

Members noted the Corporate Risk dashboard summary.

8. REPORT OF MONITORING OFFICER

L Taylor, Solicitor/Monitoring Officer, provided Members with an overview of key areas for review in how the Service works and deals with employees’ concerns.

Members noted the report and accepted the recommendations.

12.  QUARTER 2 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY 2022/23

C Stanbrook – Area Manager Community Safety & Central Policy, provided Members with an overview of the Quarter 2 Performance Summary.

Some key areas of performance were highlighted. Callout time still remain below target with Over-border call outs being highlighted as a contributing factor, and this will be monitored because this has potential to limit our resources within County. Discussions are being held with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Over 700 outdoor fires were attended during this quarter, this is the highest total on record dating back to 2009.

22 non-domestic property fires were attended this quarter, this is the lowest quarterly total on record.

100 accidental house fires were attended during this quarter, 84% of these houses had a smoke alarm fitted. Prevention work continues to highlight properties not already installed with smoke alarms. Over 2,000 smoke alarms were fitted during this quarter.

Members noted the Quarter 2 Performance Summary report.