Making Cheshire Safer Annual Action Plan for 2018/19 (IRMP 15) Report on public, staff and partner consultation February 2018 Draft Annual Action Plan 2018/19 (IRMP 15) Consultation Report Page 1 of 147 Contents Page 1. Introduction 3 2. Executive summary 4 3. The programme of consultation 8 4. Consulting with the public 10 5. Consulting with staff and internal stakeholders 14 6. Consulting with stakeholders 16 7. Feedback, evaluation and communicating outcomes 19 8. Detailed results 21 9. Profile of respondents 31 Appendices Appendix 1: Social media and press release 43 Appendix 2: Summary, survey and Firelink newsletter 47 Appendix 3: Partners and stakeholders communicated with 50 Appendix 4: Additional public responses 53 Appendix 5: Public comments 58 Appendix 6: Staff comments 115 Appendix 7: Responses from partners and stakeholders 130 Draft Annual Action Plan 2018/19 (IRMP 15) Consultation Report Page 2 of 147 1. Introduction This report sets out the results of the programme of public, staff and partner consultation on Cheshire Fire Authority’s draft annual action plan for 2018/19 (IRMP 15), titled Making Cheshire Safer, between October 2nd 2017 and January 2nd 2018. The purpose of this report is to enable the Authority to understand the differing level of opinion among all groups to the proposals set out in the draft plan, in order to assist the Authority in giving consideration to the results of the consultation in its decision making process. This feedback will be among the issues considered by the Fire Authority prior to approval of the final version of the annual action plan. This report comprises eleven sections, as follows: An executive summary, which briefly describes the consultation programme, the level of response and the key conclusions which can be drawn from the feedback received An overview of the consultation programme An outline of the methods used when consulting with the public Outlining how the Service consulted with staff and internal stakeholders An overview of the approach taken to consult with partners and external stakeholders A description of the work undertaken to assess and evaluate the consultation against previous consultations. Detailed results of the survey that underpinned the consultation, showing how each group responded to the consultation questions A summary of social media activity and press releases issued by the Service. A profile of respondents who completed the consultation survey. Appendices including the summary action plan, the list of partners communicated with, written submissions and additional comments received and news releases. This report has been made available to public and partners on the Service’s website - www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/consultation - and to staff on the Intranet. Report prepared by: Graeme Worrall Policy and Transformation Officer Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Paula Hewer Consultation and Engagement Officer Cheshire Constabulary & Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Joint Corporate Services February 6th 2018 Draft Annual Action Plan 2018/19 (IRMP 15) Consultation Report Page 3 of 147 2. Executive summary This report details activity undertaken during the consultation on Cheshire Fire Authority’s draft annual action plan for 2018/19 (IRMP 15) between October 2nd 2017 and January 2nd 2018. Nearly 3,000 members of the public and over 250 stakeholders and partner agencies were communicated with during the consultation, along with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service staff at a number of events across Cheshire. From this, a total of 832 members of the public, 124 members of staff and 13 stakeholders formally responded to the consultation. Views were sought through a range of engagement activities including public and staff roadshows, online surveys and briefings with stakeholders. The consultation focused on the key proposals within the draft plan, as well as seeking views on proposals to increase the Authority’s share of council tax precept and the overall value placed on Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. A standard online consultation survey was developed to gauge opinion amongst the public and external stakeholders. A survey was also created for staff to complete, which contained questions primarily related to the emergency response proposals contained in the draft Plan. There were 832 responses received from the public consultation in total, which provides a margin of error of +/- 3.44% and also enables the Service to have 95% confidence level that the results fall within this +/- 3.44% range. Over 1,000 additional comments were also submitted into the consultation by both public and staff consultees. The commentary on the following pages provide a summary of both the consultation process and the results emerging from the public and staff surveys. More detailed analysis of the survey results are provided later in the document. Draft Annual Action Plan 2018/19 (IRMP 15) Consultation Report Page 4 of 147 Public and staff responses Overall 85% of respondents stated that they valued Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service as a local service provider and 70% are satisfied with the overall performance of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. 44% of public respondents have not had contact with the Service in the past three years. Of those that had come into contact with the Service, the most frequent routes were through a station open day (19%) or a Safe and Well visit (16%), followed by an event or meeting within the community (14%). Only 12% of respondents have come into contact with the Service through a fire incident or road traffic collision. Funding 65% of public respondents supported the proposal to increase the Authority’s precept in 2018/19 by 1.99%, compared to 19% who opposed this. Regarding staff, 73% supported the proposed increase and 15% were opposed. It should be noted that a separate consultation specifically on a proposed increase of 2.99% in the precept was held between January and February 2018 following the Government’s relaxation of the precept referendum limit. The consultation on this proposal is reported separately. Sprinklers Public responses show that 41% would be consider having a sprinkler system installed in their homes but 59% would not. 33% of staff felt that they would consider having a sprinkler system in their home, with 67% responding that they wouldn’t. There was also a free text section enabling respondents to outline why they wouldn’t consider having a sprinkler system installed. A total of 380 comments on this question were received by the public, alongside 37 staff comments. Public responses showed some concern regarding the potential cost of installing a sprinkler system (123 comments) and a feeling that such a system would either not be practical or necessary given existing fire safety measures (111 comments). Also highlighted was the perceived risk of damage to a property through accidental activation (55 comments) or the disruption of installation (37 comments). Staff comments reflected concern over the cost of installation (17 comments) and whether additional protection through sprinklers were necessary given the risks in the home (9 comments). Proposals for the future The following section of the survey asked for views regarding the proposed review of crewing arrangements at Penketh and Wilmslow fire stations, the third aerial appliance and a programme of station replacements. These were primarily open-ended questions seeking qualitative feedback from respondents. There was also a question regarding the proposed expansion of the cardiac response scheme. Copies of all comments provided are included within Appendix 5 and 6 to this report. Draft Annual Action Plan 2018/19 (IRMP 15) Consultation Report Page 5 of 147 Review of Penketh Fire Station Of the 340 comments on the proposed review of Penketh Fire Station received by the public, 138 comments stated an opposition to reducing the current level of service provided by existing arrangements. A further 31 responses highlighted the need to consider local risks and demands such as ensuring support for neighbouring fire engines and local developments. 23 responses referenced some concerns over the impact on on-call availability resulting from any change. 98 respondents indicated that they had no further comment to make. 66 members of staff provided responses to this question. 26 responses stated that the outcome of the review should preserve the existing level of cover provided at Penketh. 14 respondents felt that the wider resilience and cover provided by the Penketh crews should be taken into consideration. Five comments stated that the number of mobilisations for the station should be considered and a further five responses highlighted the need to consider staff welfare (e.g. work-life balance, child care) through the course of a review. Review of Wilmslow Fire Station 340 public responses were provided to this question, of which 87 had no further comment to make. Of comments received, 116 stated that consideration should be given to returning the duty system at Wilmslow to a wholetime duty system. A further 50 comments reported that the respondent felt that the current duty system was not operating effectively, with several comments referencing the availability of on-call staff at night. 16 responses stated that either the current arrangement was satisfactory or that a fully on-call system could be considered. There were 67 staff comments provided regarding the proposed review of crewing arrangements at Wilmslow Fire Station. 26 respondents felt that the station should return to a wholetime duty system while a further 18 comments highlighted concerns around the sustainability of the current crewing arrangement, particularly at night. 6 respondents suggested that any review should consider whether sufficient numbers of on-call staff can be recruited and retained. Review of the third aerial appliance Of the 335 public comments, 162 stated that the third aerial appliance should be maintained. 69 replies contained either N/A or no further comment. 23 responses queried whether the appliance could be located in an alternative location within Cheshire and an additional 22 comments made reference to the risk presented by high-rise premises and the Grenfell Tower fire.