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CHAPTER 1
Summary of Aims and Aspirations
1. The overall aims of this Framework are to:
- Set out Scottish Ministers aspirations for the SFRS.
- Set current fire legislation in the context of the new relationship between key partners and the wider concordat.
- Provide a strategic direction for the Service over the medium-term.
- Provide clarity for the public and all those involved in delivering the SFRS of the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders.
- Provide clarity over the governance and accountability arrangements which exist for the SFRS.
2. Our Aspirations
- Fire and Rescue Services that work proactively and in partnership across the public, private and voluntary sectors, maximising their contribution to national priorities and objectives, with a particular emphasis on delivering a safer, stronger and more resilient Scotland.
- A Scotland which is free of all preventable fire-related deaths, injuries and damage.
- A Scotland which is prepared to respond to major emergencies - with the SFRS ready to play their part through planning and exercising with the Scottish Government and responder agencies with a clear view of the risks likely to be met.
- Fire and Rescue Services which are highly skilled and demonstrate Best Value in all their activities.
- Fire and Rescue Services which are an integral part of an inclusive Scotland where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to public life.
- Fire and Rescue Services which deliver protective and emergency services that consider the needs of and strive to establish a workforce which is representative of Scotland's communities.
The Wider Context
3. While the Scottish Government continues to set strategic direction and national outcomes, including the priorities for the SFRS set out in this Framework, we are committed to stepping back from micro-management as part of the concordat approach. This means that the decisions and responsibility for how to deliver agreed outcomes are fully delegated to a local level. Scottish Ministers will not manage the "actions" or make decisions concerning the delivery of those outcomes - unless they have a particular and direct statutory duty which requires them to do so.
4. This commitment to no "micro management" recognises that delivery will not necessarily be standardised across Scotland and that local services should have an increased flexibility to respond to local needs, rather than necessarily adopt a 'one size fits all' approach.
5. It is also a commitment to limit the bureaucratic burdens placed upon local authorities and related services, in order to enable them to more effectively deliver outcomes. This principle extends to monitoring the performance of these services.
6. This wider context to the Framework can be summarised as follows:
- As Fire and Rescue Service matters are devolved, Scottish Ministers are accountable to Parliament for those matters and for the efficient use of public funds.
- Ministers' accountability is set in the context of the new relationships and wider concordat.
- An emphasis on partnership and mutual respect among all those with a stake in the SFRS, including employee representative organisations.
- A Fire and Rescue Framework which provides a clear strategic direction.
- All stakeholders working within the context of the same National Performance Framework.
- An assumption that revenue funding for the SFRS is provided on a "non-ringfenced" basis, as part of general resources for local government, and a commitment to develop a longer-term capital investment strategy.
Roles and Responsibilities
7. With this wider context in mind, the following section helpfully defines the roles and responsibilities of the key stakeholders responsible for delivering Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services.
7.1 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
7.1.1 General
- To set national standards, in partnership with stakeholders, where after consultation Ministers deem these to be necessary, and to monitor application of these standards.
- To initiate, promote and monitor legislation.
- To set a strategic direction for Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services, which builds on the National Performance Framework and is delivered in consultation with key stakeholders.
- To lead, in collaboration with those jointly responsible for policy setting and service delivery, those areas of policy where a national pan- Scotland strategy is required to deliver the most effective and efficient service, in the interests of communities and the country as a whole.
7.1.2 Learning and Development
- To set, in partnership with stakeholders, national standards for training, learning and development and arrangements for quality assurance.
- To enable the Scottish Fire Services College, as a key stakeholder, to act in a central supporting role to the Service, by providing and procuring agreed quality assured training and development opportunities.
- To support the continued upskilling of the workforce via a dedicated Learning & Development Team and e-learning platforms, including a national personal development record system.
- To work in partnership with stakeholders on the development of a long-term plan for strategic investment in training facilities across Scotland, taking into account overall affordability and training needs.
7.1.3 Resilience
- In line with the Scottish Ministers' assessment of risk, to ensure, in partnership and by providing appropriate support, that the Service can respond collectively in the event of a major incident arising particularly from terrorism, especially a Chemical, Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosives attack, or extreme weather, and that national contingency plans are in place for providing emergency fire cover in the event of a major disruptive event.
7.1.4 Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit ( SFRAU)
- To provide advice within the Scottish Government on Fire and Rescue matters.
- To support the development and implementation of strategic direction, standards and national good practice.
- To ensure compatibility with UK guidance where appropriate.
- To develop processes for the assessment of SFRS' operational preparedness.
- To support the process of continuous improvement in the SFRS.
- The Head of the Unit will also provide separate, independent advice to Ministers if he or she judges that this is necessary, or if Ministers request such advice.
7.2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- To implement the requirements of the Local Government Scotland Act, particularly in relation to Best Value.
- To establish Single Outcome Agreements through Community Planning Partnerships.
- To allocate non-ringfenced Local Government funding.
7.2.1 COSLA
- To represent the interests of the local government family, including those of Fire and Rescue Authorities.
- To work with the Scottish Government to deliver the concordat through the National Performance Framework, Single Outcome Agreements and joint policy development.
- To negotiate the overall funding package for local government with the Scottish Government.
- To coordinate efforts to deliver shared agendas which cross policy portfolios or identified boundaries be they local or regional.
- To coordinate efforts to deliver shared agendas.
- To address all issues relevant to the NJCs.
7.2.2 Fire and Rescue Authorities ( FRAs)
- To make provision for the delivery of their statutory responsibilities. Key legislative provisions are contained within the Fire Scotland Act, Civil Contingencies Act, Additional Functions Order, Local Government Scotland Act (Best Value and Community Planning duties), Health and Safety and Equalities legislation.
- To appoint the Chief Officer.
- To provide the Service with political leadership, ensure local accountability, budget setting, as well as monitoring and scrutiny. e.g. Integrated Risk Management Planning ( IRMP).
- To engage with Scottish Government, COSLA and Community Planning Partnerships to develop a strategic direction for the Service at a national and local level and in-keeping with the National Performance Framework.
- Ensure efficient, effective and economic delivery of local Fire and Rescue Services demonstrating value for money.
- Scrutiny of performance monitoring.
- Responsibility for local risk reduction strategies ( IRMP) in line with Scottish Government guidance.
7.2.3 Chief Officers
- Responsible to FRAs for discharging their statutory duties as delegated by the FRA.
- To deliver the provisions contained in legislation as directed by FRAs.
- To work in partnership with the Scottish Government, COSLA and, the FRAs to set the strategic direction for the Service in keeping with the National Performance Framework at both a national and local level.
- To work with Community Planning Partnerships in the development and delivery of Single Outcome Agreements.
- Local delivery and management of Fire and Rescue Services on behalf of the FRA.
7.2.4 Employee Representative Bodies
- To represent the views and best interests of their members.
- To engage with the Scottish Government, COSLA, FRAs and Chief Officers as key stakeholders in the SFRS in order to jointly progress local and national priorities in line with the National Performance Framework.
- To engage on employment related matters.
7.3 MINISTERIAL ADVISORY GROUP ( MAG)
7.3.1 The MAG is chaired by the Scottish Minister with responsibility for Fire and Rescue Service matters. All relevant stakeholders are members. This presently includes Scottish Government, COSLA, Fire Conveners Forum, Chief Fire Officers Association, and all related employee representative bodies. The MAG meets at least twice a year. Its remit is:
- To scope and consider major issues which will impact upon the SFRS and consider what action needs to be taken collectively.
- To identify and consider major issues relating to the SFRS which may benefit from Ministerial attention, either through legislation, guidance, or influence.
- To consider relevant quantitative and qualitative evidence and monitor the progress of major issues affecting Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services, suggesting areas where new approaches may be required.
- MAG sub-groups may be convened to take forward key tasks.
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