Meeting Details

The General Counsel, Clerk and Monitoring Officer presented a report to review the names and terms of reference of the Authority's Committees, as requested at the Authority meeting on 25 June 2025. 

Members agreed that the proposed changes to the Committee names provided clarity by emphasising the essential role Members have in providing scrutiny and holding senior officers to account and no further changes were necessary.

Members also agreed that no further changes were required to the Terms of Reference for each Committee, which had already been reviewed earlier in the year as part of the changes to the Constitution approved in June.

RESOLVED that no further changes are necessary to the names of either Audit, Scrutiny & Standards Committee or Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee nor to their respective Terms of Reference.

Th External Auditor, Bishop Fleming UK LLP presented a report to consider the Audit Plan which set out the work to be undertaken in respect of the 2024/25 Audit.

In relation to rebuilding assurance following a disclaimer of opinion, Members noted that following a detailed risk assessment at the account balance level, focussing particularly on the potential risks of material misstatement in prior periods for individual reserve balances, the Auditors would look at how they could start to rebuild assurance during the 2024/25 audit and discuss with the Treasurer in more detail.

Members also noted the full audit timetable (in particular that the date of the presentation of the Audit Completion Report should be 14 January 2026) and noted the 2024/25 Audit Fee.

RESOLVED that the External Audit Plan (2024/25 Accounts), including the proposed Audit Fee, be noted.

The Head of Internal Audit presented the annual report of Internal Audit for 2024/25 for scrutiny.

The Treasurer then provided Members with an overview of the internal audit function, highlighting its importance as a statutory requirement for local authorities. He commended the work of the internal audit team, led by Chris Green, noting a significant increase in productivity from 66% to 81%. Members were advised not to underestimate the effort involved in achieving this improvement, which reflected the effectiveness of the shared audit service.

Following discussion of the report, Members noted that the overall opinion was that Reasonable Assurance could be given, there was an adequate and effective governance, risk and control framework in place, designed to meet the organisation's objectives.

Members also welcomed the assurance that they would receive regular progress reports, some of which would include actions requiring their review and approval.

RESOLVED that the Annual Report of Internal Audit for 2024/25 be noted.

The Head of Internal Audit presented the Internal Audit Progress report to allow Members to scrutinise the delivery of the Internal Audit Plan for 2025/26.

Members reviewed the Plan's progress and noted that any substantial amendments would require Committee approval. Members were also pleased to note that the Service was fully staffed, with no current concerns reported.

 RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Deputy Chief Fire Officer presented the Statement of Assurance 2024/25 for scrutiny and approval.

Members reviewed the Statement of Assurance for 2024/25 and raised concerns regarding the reported increase in sickness compared to the previous year. Members were assured that this issue was being closely monitored by Human Resources and was addressed in greater detail within the Health and Safety report later in the agenda. Members were satisfied that the Statement provided appropriate levels of assurance to both the public and Government in relation to governance, financial and operational matters and approved it for publication on the Service's website.

 RESOLVED that the draft Statement of Assurance 2024/25 be approved. 

The Treasurer presented a report to update Members on the National Fraud Initiative (NFI).

Members noted that the final report (Report 708 - duplicate records by invoice amount and creditor reference) for examing had now been completed, and as in previous years, the matches were annual monthly payments to the same supplier, or the same type of goods/services at different periods, or multiple purchases made separately. The Treasurer, therefore, was pleased to inform Members that every NFI match had now been reviewed and no fraud had been detected.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted that the process of examing all National Fraud Initiative matches was now complete and no fraud had been detected.

The Deputy Chief Fire Officer presented a report summarising the 2025 Review of Progress against the 2023 Cultural Audit Recommendations undertaken by Dr Deborah Willoughby and Emily Allen-Mellors.

Following a review of the report, Members noted that 10 out of the 15 recommendations had been delivered and that good progress had been made with the remaining to be completed by the end of 2026.

Members also noted that The Culture Board would now support the Service in its cultural journey (aligned to the Culture Statement of Intent) in line with the Core Code of Ethics and maintain the excellent momentum already in place, with Cllr Richard Udall attending meetings as the Culture Champion.

RESOLVED that the Audit, Scrutiny and Standards Committee noted the progress against the:

i)  Findings of the 2025 Review of Progress against the 2023 Cultural Audit Recommendations; and

ii) Approved the proposal to channel future actions via the Culture Board.

The Assistant Chief Officer (Director of Prevention) presented a report summarising the progress against recommendations in the Leading the Service Fire Standard.

It was explained to Members that the Service had undertaken a comprehensive mapping of its processes against the Leading the Service Fire Standard. This exercise had provided valuable clarity on key areas of corporate activity, reinforcing the accountability and responsibility of leadership across the Service. 

Members reviewed the report and agreed that the Service met the majority of the standard's requirements and had identified targeted actions to build upon existing strengths and drive continuous service improvement.

RESOLVED that having scrutinised progress against the Leading the Service Fire Standard, Members concluded that the Service met the majority of the standard's requirements and had identified targeted actions to build upon existing strengths and drive continuous Service improvement.

The Assistant Chief Officer - Director of Prevention presented Members with an update on the progress made against the recommendations from the 2023 HMICFRS Spotlight Report on Values & Culture in Fire and Rescue Services.

Members noted that there were two areas that had not yet been completed or actions fully implemented against the recommendations, namely:

Recommendation 22 - Chief Fire Officers should make sure there is a full, 360-degree feedback process in place for all other leaders and managers in service. 

Recommendation 26 - Chief Fire Officers and the National Fire Chiefs Council should work with the Home Office to consider how they can improve the training and support they offer to staff in management and leadership development.

Further progress would be reported to Members in due course.

RESOLVED that Members noted the actions and the progress that has been made against the recommendations in the HMICFRS Values & Culture Spotlight Report, in particular that:

i) 20 recommendations were made in the HMICFRS report aimed at Chief Fire Officers; and

ii) significant progress has been made with actions for 18 of the 20 recommendations being successfully implemented.

The Assistant Chief Officer - Director of Prevention presented an update to Members on the Service's response to the recommendations made in the 2024 HMICFRS report titled "Standards of behaviour: The handling of misconduct in fire and rescue services".

Members noted that following the report published on 1 August 2024 where 15 recommendations were made to the Chief Fire Officers, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service had fully implemented 13 of the 15 recommendations. There were two remaining areas where the Service had not yet completed or fully implemented actions, namely:

Recommendation 2 - Chief Fire Officers should make sure a policy for probationary staff is in place.

Recommendation 9 - Chief Fire Officers should introduce a case management system if they don't already have one.

Members were pleased to note that they will continue to be provided with further updates on progress made against the recommendations in the report.

[Cllr R Morris left the meeting at 12.31pm].

RESOLVED that Members noted that significant progress had been made against the recommendations made in the HMICFRS report Standards of Behaviour: The handling of misconduct in fire and rescue services.

The Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Director of Protection presented an annual update on the Risk Management Framework and Strategic Risk Register.

Members' attention was drawn to the changes from 2024/25 and noted:

SRR 002A - Loss of Grants.

SRR 002B - Overspending due to increase of costs.

SRR 003B - Loss of utilities, specifically power outage.

SRR 0010 - Impact of climate change.

There was a request from Members for colour to be added to future active risks charts to highlight any high risks. It was agreed by the Assistant Chief Fire Officer that this could be added to future reports.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted that the Strategic Risk Register and Departmental Risk Registers provided a method for continual monitoring and review of the Service's risks by the Strategic Leadership Board (SLB) and middle managers, thereby informing the Service's objectives and business goals.

The Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Director of Protection presented an update on Health and Safety activities and items of significance.

Members thanked Officers for a detailed report which provided reassurance on Health and Safety matters. There was discussion regarding vehicle access at incidents and Members were assured that the Service worked closely with the local authorities for re-occurring areas. Leaflet drops on parked vehicles were also undertaken by crews where required.

RESOLVED that the following issues were noted:

i)   The involvement of the Service in Health and Safety initiatives;

ii)  Health and Safety performance information recorded during April-June (Quarter 1); and

iii) Workforce Health & Wellbeing performance (Quarter 1).