The government has responded to the independent inquiry
into the objections of 2 combined fire and rescue
authorities (FRA), Cleveland and
Dorset & Wiltshire FRA, who disagreed
with the government’s proposal to amend their combination
schemes to enable a PCC to request to
sit on the FRA with voting
rights.
Jim Barron CBE was appointed as an independent person to
consider the objections of FRAs, the position of other
relevant stakeholders such as the PCCs and the government’s
position and to then come to a judgement on the strength of
objection. The inquiry concluded that the objections
presented did not carry sufficient strength to prevent the
provisions from being made. As such, the schemes should be
amended to enable the PCCs to sit on the authorities as a
member with voting rights, where the FRA agrees.
The government has carefully considered the outcome of the
inquiry, and has decided to insert the relevant enabling
provisions to both combination schemes, in addition to
amendments to the combination schemes of FRAs who were
supportive of the proposal.
You can download the inquiry report and government
response, including further clarification to the 2 FRAs to
address their arguments regarding political balance,
extending the right to a PCC to appoint a
deputy, and membership allowance.
