The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee met to discuss the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service performance, and the council's involvement in aviation planning matters. The committee noted the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's (SFRS) progress on their improvement plan, and discussed aviation issues including noise pollution, air quality, and traffic congestion related to Gatwick, Heathrow and Farnborough airports.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Performance Report

Kevin Deanus, Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue, and Resilience, introduced the report, highlighting the SFRS's commitment to delivering a high-performing, accountable, and community-focused service.

Dan Quin, Executive Director for Community Protection and Emergencies, added that the service had progressed well with its inspection improvement plan and was assisting other fire and rescue services with their development.

The committee discussed several aspects of the SFRS's performance:

• Prevent and Protect System: Councillors raised questions about the implementation and user testing of the new Prevent and Protect system, which replaces the GOSS form¹. It was clarified that the fire safety audit piece was delivered the previous year, with user testing involving a pilot run for operational risk assessment at fire stations.
• Safe and Well Visits: The committee discussed the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Safe and Well visits, which involve SFRS staff visiting residents' homes to provide safety advice. Dan Quin assured the committee that internal audits confirmed substantial assurance regarding the robustness of booking processes and the quality of visits. He added that 78% of visits are carried out by on-duty crews, maximising the use of available staff. Dan Quin also shared testimonials from residents who had received Safe and Well visits, highlighting the positive impact of the service.
• Relationship with Adult Social Care: The committee explored the collaboration between SFRS and Surrey Adult Social Care in identifying vulnerable individuals who may benefit from Safe and Well visits. Dan Quin explained that the SFRS has strong connections with various organisations, including housing associations and children's services, to identify individuals in need of their services. He also addressed concerns about the potential impact of local government reorganisation on this connectivity, expressing confidence that the relationships would continue.
• Fire Brigade Union: In response to a question about the Fire Brigade Union's support for the SFRS's approach to prevention, Dan Quin stated that the union is now very supportive and recognises the need for prevention activities.
• Tall Buildings Evacuation Policy: Councillor Sajj Hussain asked about the number of tall buildings in Surrey and the evacuation policies in place. Dan Quin reported that there are 84 high-rise or tall buildings in Surrey, with 65 utilising a stay-put evacuation policy and 15 having simultaneous evacuation policies due to cladding remediation status. The remaining four are commercial premises with different evacuation policies. He assured the committee that fire engines have details of the relevant evacuation procedures for each location on their mobile data terminals. Councillor Ayesha Azad followed up with questions about the safety of tall buildings and whether the SFRS is consulted on evacuation policies for new builds. Dan Quin confirmed that the SFRS is a statutory consultee under building regulations and has a dedicated resource focused on this work.
• Grenfell Inquiry Recommendations: Councillor Cameron McIntosh asked how the SFRS is incorporating the recommendations from the Grenfell inquiry². Dan Quin affirmed the SFRS's commitment to implementing the recommendations, working closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. He provided examples of actions taken, including improvements to fire survival guidance, the development of an electronic system for managing information during incidents, and engagement with the fire and rescue reform team.
• Ray Park Training Facilities: The committee received an update on the progress of the new training facilities at Ray Park, with Dan Quin reporting that work is underway on the new fire station, followed by the training facilities. He noted a slight delay due to the discovery of asbestos during surveys.

The committee agreed to receive an update about the alignment with the Grenfell report in October.

Aviation Planning Matters

Marisa Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report on the council's involvement in aviation planning matters, emphasising the importance of balancing the economic benefits of airports with the need to protect residents from noise and air pollution.

The committee discussed various issues related to Gatwick, Heathrow and Farnborough Airport Limited:

• Gatwick Airport Expansion: The committee raised concerns about the potential impact of increased flights on congestion, noise pollution and air quality. Caroline Smith, Planning Group Manager, explained that the council had raised concerns about the level of uncertainty in the predicted transport outcomes and the need for Gatwick to pursue a sustainable growth agenda. Councillor Catherine Baart asked about the lack of engagement with local communities in designing the noise envelope³. Marisa Heath acknowledged the issue and stated that the council had pushed back on this point, but that ultimately the decision rests with the planning inspectorate. Councillor Saj Hussain suggested creating a separate noise envelope group with the GLA⁴ to build evidence and submit it to the Secretary of State. The committee also discussed night flights, with Marisa Heath stating that the council supports a night-time ban for Gatwick.
• Heathrow Airport Expansion: The committee discussed the potential increase in flights and passengers at Heathrow, as well as the impact on surface traffic and air quality. Caroline Smith outlined the different phases of Heathrow's expansion plans, but noted that specific details were not yet available. Councillor Sarge asked about the impact on air freight and the potential for increased lorry traffic. The committee also raised concerns about the lack of a robust environmental framework for Heathrow's expansion. Councillor Stephen McCormack questioned the cost implications for the council and how to mitigate against being burdened with additional costs. Councillor Catherine Baart asked whether the council accepts Heathrow's proposed economic benefits for its expansion.
• Farnborough Airport Expansion: The committee discussed the planning application by Farnborough Airport Limited to increase the number of flights and the potential impact on noise, air pollution and transport. Councillor Andy MacLeod questioned the need for the expansion, given that the airport is not currently operating at its existing capacity. Councillor Catherine Baart asked about the percentage of flights associated with Farnborough that are private jets, which are more carbon intensive.
• General Aviation Issues: The committee discussed the volume of surface traffic to Gatwick and Heathrow, with Councillor Stephen McCormack suggesting the need for a current baseline and a method to monitor traffic volumes. Councillor Catherine Baart asked whether the information used to inform the council's policies on aviation expansion is up to date. Councillor Angela Goodwin asked about the seasonal nature of air travel and its impact on traffic patterns. Councillor Buddhi Weerasinghe raised concerns about the impact of airport expansion on the ecosystem and biodiversity zones.

The committee agreed to recommendations relating to the concerns raised about airport expansion.