The Committee welcomed the proposal to open a day-crewed station in Cinderford. The Committee recommended that the decision on proposed changes to the shift patterns of wholetime firefighters be deferred to enable them to gather further evidence from staff. The Committee noted the performance data for quarter one 2024/25 and the Improvement Board progress update.

Independent Review Report

The Committee considered the findings of the Independent Review Report that had been produced by West Midlands Employers.¹

The Chief Fire Officer, Mark Preece, advised that the review considered allegations of racism and bullying at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) between 1991 and 2018. The review concluded that there had been historical institutionalised racism within GFRS and that “Watch culture” had contributed to exclusionary practices. He added that the Service was now very clear about what behaviours would and would not be accepted.

Councillor Dave Norman, the Cabinet Member for Fire, Community Safety and Libraries, recognised the challenges faced by GFRS and confirmed that he, the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive would hold the CFO to account to ensure that staff were protected from mistreatment.

The Committee thanked West Midlands Employers for its report and recommendations. Councillor Norman confirmed that the recommendations would be actioned, and that he would keep the Committee appraised of progress.

Overview of GFRS Values and Workplace Charter

Catherine Lane, People Manager at GFRS, updated the Committee on the work being undertaken with regards to values and behaviours within GFRS and the Workplace Charter. She noted that the Workplace Charter had been launched in August 2023 and had been incorporated into staff inductions and annual appraisals.

GFRS Response Review

The CFO presented the GFRS Response Review. He advised that Cabinet would be asked to make a decision at its meeting on 4 December 2024 on proposals for a new day-staffed Community Fire Station at Cinderford and on proposed changes to the current shift pattern worked by wholetime firefighters. He advised that a 12-week consultation had been held from 18 March 2024 to 9 June 2024. The Committee noted that 379 responses to the consultation had been received via the online questionnaire, with a further 300 questions received at 18 staff engagement events, and 74 responses from a staff pulse survey.

The CFO explained that the current wholetime firefighter shift patterns were introduced in 1976 and no longer met the needs of a modern service. He advised that his preferred option was to introduce 11-hour day shifts and 13-hour night shifts, which would provide more opportunities for staff to undertake prevention activities and training. He accepted that many staff had raised concerns about the impact of a change to shift patterns on their work-life balance, particularly in terms of childcare arrangements.

The Chair proposed that the Cabinet Member delay the decision on shift patterns until the Committee had been given the opportunity to gather further evidence from staff.

The CFO recommended that the decision not be deferred. He advised that the consultation had initially been based on the introduction of 12-hour day and night shifts, but this had been changed to 11-hour day shifts and 13-hour night shifts following feedback from staff. Any agreed changes would be implemented over a 6 to 12-month period to allow staff to put in place new arrangements for childcare and other responsibilities.

Councillor Norman advised that he could not comment on what would happen at Cabinet but confirmed that Cabinet members would have the opportunity to question the proposals.

Several members commented on the volume of correspondence they had received from firefighters objecting to the proposed changes to shift patterns.

The Committee resolved to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Fire, Community Safety and Libraries defer the decision due to be taken at the Cabinet meeting on 4 December 2024 relating to changes to wholetime firefighter working shift patterns, to enable the Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee to hold a session to consider evidence from GFRS firefighters as to the reasons they are opposed to the proposed changes.

Overview of Gloucestershire Coroners Service

Barry Sweeny, Coroner’s Operations Officer, provided the Committee with an overview of Gloucestershire Coroners Service.² He advised that the service had received over 2,500 referrals in 2023/24. The Committee was invited to visit the Coroner’s Service complex.

Overview of Past Local and National Exercises and Potential Future Exercises

Liana Selecka-Jones, Temporary Area Manager, provided the Committee with an overview of past local and national exercises, and potential future exercises.

Update on GFRS Prevention, Protection and Emergency Response

Richard Humphrey, Protection Manager, updated the Committee on GFRS prevention, protection and emergency response activities.

Work Planning

The Committee agreed that depending on the outcome of the Cabinet meeting on 4 December 2024, a session would be held to consider evidence from firefighters regarding the proposed changes to shift patterns. This would be added to the next Committee meeting on 10 January 2025, or an additional meeting would be established.