The Combined Fire Authority for County Durham and Darlington was scheduled to meet on Friday 13 March 2026 to discuss a range of matters including the appointment of a Deputy Chief Fire Officer, the Members' Allowances Scheme, and correspondence received by the authority. The meeting's agenda also included notes from the Audit and Finance Committee.

Appointment of Deputy Chief Fire Officer

The meeting was scheduled to consider the appointment of Rob Cherrie to the substantive role of Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO). This position became vacant in January 2026 when the previous post holder was appointed Chief Fire Officer at Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service. An appointments panel had met on 19 January 2026 to approve the salary, job description, and person specification for the role. The vacancy was advertised nationally, and two applications were received. Both candidates participated in an Assessment and Development Centre on 13 February 2026, and subsequently, the Appointments Panel unanimously recommended Rob Cherrie for the position following a final interview on 19 February 2026. If approved by the Combined Fire Authority, the appointment was proposed to commence on 30 March 2026.

Members Allowances Scheme

A report from the Clerk was scheduled to provide information on the allowances payable to councillors appointed to the Combined Fire Authority (CFA) and to seek approval for these allowances from 1 April 2026. The report outlined that the Authority is required to maintain a Members' Allowances Scheme in accordance with The Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003. This involves determining the levels of Basic Allowances, Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs), and travel and subsistence allowances annually. The report noted that Durham County Council had reviewed its scheme in October 2025, approving a 3.6% uplift for basic allowances and SRAs. Darlington Borough Council's revised scheme, approved in April 2024, includes annual indexation and remains in force for the 2026/27 financial year. The report detailed the current allowances payable and proposed an increase of 3.8% (based on the September 2025 Consumer Price Index) to the basic allowance and SRAs, with effect from 1 April 2026.

Notes of the Audit and Finance Committee

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the discussions and recommendations from the Audit and Finance Committee meeting held on 17 February 2026. This included an update on pending matters from the audit completion report for the year ended 31 March 2025, provided by Mazars. Members were also to be presented with the published Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025, which had been approved by the Audit and Finance Committee.

Current Correspondence

A report from the Director of Emergency Response was scheduled to provide an update on current correspondence received by the Authority from government and other bodies. This report was intended to inform members of the status of each item of correspondence. One item of correspondence noted was Circular NJC/1/26 concerning an update on National Joint Council Pay Reform. This circular detailed discussions between the National Employers, the Fire Brigades Union, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government regarding pay and role reform within the fire and rescue service. The joint statement highlighted a commitment to developing a long-term, sustainable and future-proofed fire and rescue service role and workforce reform to ensure a capable, professional, and productive workforce.

Other Business

The agenda also included items for Such other business as, in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting, is of sufficient urgent to warrant consideration in both Part A and Part B of the meeting. Part B items were scheduled for discussion with the public excluded, on the grounds that they might involve the disclosure of exempt or confidential information.