Wednesday 16 May 2007
09.30
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) is celebrating after
receiving the results of a review they requested in connection with
the Audit Commission’s recent Direction of Travel judgement.
In July 2005 AF&RS received a ‘Fair’ rating by the Audit
Commission following its Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)
process carried out in January 2005.
The original draft Direction of Travel judgement, issued to
AF&RS in February this year, looked at how the service had
improved since January 2005’s CPA process. The initial
indication was that AF&RS would be judged as ‘Improving
adequately’.
AF&RS did not agree with this on the basis that it felt the
criteria for ‘Improving well’ was a more appropriate reflection of
the progress it has made.
In support of its request AF&RS provided evidence, which
helped demonstrate the improvements that it has made, this included
marked progression in managing sickness, measurable outcomes for
the public - such as a reduction in deliberate fires, performance
indicators and progress in addressing the diversity of the
workforce.
AF&RS’s Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Kevin Pearson
said: “Obviously I am delighted with the outcome of our request to
the Audit Commission. We feel the judgment of ‘Improving
well’ truly reflects that hard work our staff have undertaken since
the CPA result. It is likely that as a consequence of the
Direction of Travel result, we will be applying to the Audit
Commission to re-grade the 2005 CPA result.
“Despite celebrating this excellent and well deserved result, we
will not be complacent. We acknowledge that there is still
some work to do in areas such as performance management, workforce
representation and partnership working.
“Throughout this process we have provided the local community
with an outstanding fire and rescue service - preventing,
protecting and responding in a huge variety of ways. Our
youth work and arson prevention is recognised nationally as leading
the field and our staff and community safety initiatives have
scooped numerous awards. AF&RS strives for perfection and
will continue to do so to the benefit of the local community.”