Concerns raised over West Midlands Fire Service leadership

As reported by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), serious concerns have been raised regarding the leadership and governance of West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS).

In a letter sent to the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority on 4 October 2024, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services, Andy Cooke, expressed worry over an apparent breakdown in the relationship between senior WMFS personnel and the Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA).

The issue has escalated, leading to three senior officers of WMFS signing a letter of no-confidence in the Authority.

Cooke highlighted that this situation could affect public trust in the service and potentially jeopardise critical safety services for residents of the West Midlands.

HMICFRS is actively seeking discussions with WMFS and FRA leadership to address these concerns.

Call for immediate steps to address governance issues

HMI Freeman, who is involved in the inspection of WMFS, has requested urgent discussions with the leadership to understand what immediate steps are being taken to resolve the situation.

The letter also states that the inspectorate will closely monitor WMFS, particularly in terms of leadership, governance, and culture.

HMICFRS plans to begin its next inspection of WMFS on 28 October 2024, with fieldwork commencing on 18 November 2024.

Given the current situation, Cooke indicated that the scope of the inspection might be expanded to assess the impact of the internal issues on service efficiency and public safety.

Further inspections under consideration

Cooke also noted that consultations are underway with the Home Secretary regarding the possibility of commissioning a separate inspection into the governance of the service by the FRA.

This inspection would likely focus on the relationships between senior personnel and their impact on the service’s effectiveness.

The letter outlined the legal framework under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, through which the inspectorate may carry out further inspections.

Any such review would run parallel to the upcoming scheduled inspection but would avoid overlapping with matters excluded by the Act.

Support offered by key stakeholders

In his letter, Cooke also emphasised that various support options are available to WMFS and the FRA.

These include assistance from HMICFRS, the Home Office, the Local Government Association, and the National Fire Chiefs Council.

All of these organisations have expressed their willingness to help WMFS and the FRA address the current governance issues.

The letter has been copied to key stakeholders, including the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, the National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, and other relevant organisations.

HMICFRS intends to publish the letter on its website.

Concerns raised over West Midlands Fire Service leadership: Summary

HMICFRS has raised serious concerns about the leadership and governance of the West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), citing a breakdown in relationships between senior personnel and the Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA).

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Andy Cooke, outlined these issues in a letter to the Authority and senior WMFS officials.

Three principal officers of the service signed a letter of no-confidence in the FRA, leading to concerns about public trust and service delivery.

HMICFRS is considering expanding its upcoming inspection of WMFS and potentially launching an additional review of the service’s governance.