The Scrutiny Committee of the Council of the Isles of Scilly met to discuss fire and rescue service inspections, assurance, and risk management, as well as the outcomes of a Care Quality Commission inspection. The meeting was scheduled to cover the Minutes 10062025 Scrutiny Committee from the previous meeting, and to address any urgent items.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Outcomes

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the Interim Director of Children's and Adults Services regarding the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection outcomes. A supplement pack relating to this item was also provided.

Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service

Several items on the agenda related to the Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service (IOSFRS):

HMICFRS Inspection Report 2023-25

The committee was scheduled to discuss the HMICFRS Inspection Report 2023-25 of the IOSFRS. The report, independently conducted by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), assessed the service's effectiveness, efficiency, and how well it looks after its people.

The inspection included graded judgements in ten areas, with the IOSFRS judged as 'Good' in public safety through fire regulation, responding to fires and other emergencies, best use of resources, future affordability, promoting values and culture, right people/right skills, and managing performance and developing leaders. The service was deemed 'Adequate' in understanding fire and risk, and preventing fire and risk. It 'Requires Improvement' in promoting fairness and diversity.

The report identified areas for improvement, including:

• Ensuring firefighters have access to relevant and up-to-date risk-critical information.
• Having appropriate arrangements to oversee prevention work delivered by its prevention partner.
• Developing a clear prevention strategy targeting those most at risk.
• Having robust processes for equality impact assessments¹.
• Ensuring all staff understand the benefits of equality, diversity and inclusion.

The report also noted several key strengths and improvements, such as the development of a thorough Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), improved risk information gathering, and effective partnership with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

The committee was expected to scrutinise the information provided in the report and endorse the improvement plan arising from the inspection. They were also expected to recommend that the Full Council consider any observations and approve the action plan.

Annual Assurance Paper 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to review the IOSFRS Annual Assurance Statement 2024-25, prepared in accordance with the Fire and Rescue National Framework for England². The statement provides evidence and accountability for how the Fire and Rescue Authority has fulfilled its statutory duties.

The statement confirms that the Council continues to meet its obligations under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004³, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004⁴, and other relevant legislation. It also confirms that the IOSFRS has appropriate arrangements in place for governance, financial stewardship, operational preparedness, resilience, and collaboration with partners.

The committee was expected to scrutinise the information provided and endorse the contents of the Annual Assurance Paper, recommending that the Full Council approve the contents as well.

Extension of the Community Risk Management Plan to 2027

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report regarding the Extension of the IOSFRS CRMP to 2027. The report recommends extending the current CRMP by one year, to March 2027.

The report notes that the IOSFRS relies heavily on the support of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) to produce the CRMP, and CFRS has requested the extension to align IOSFRS and CFRS timetables. The IOSFRS does not have the in-house capacity, access to data, or consultation expertise to develop a compliant CRMP independently.

The report also states that the HMICFRS 2023–25 inspection report acknowledged the CRMP as a well-structured and locally appropriate document but highlighted areas for improvement. Extending the CRMP by 12 months would allow the service to maintain strategic direction while addressing these inspection findings.

The committee was expected to scrutinise the information provided and endorse the extension of the CRMP to March 2027, recommending that the Full Council approve the extension as well.