Humberside Fire and Rescue Service

At its meeting on 9 May 2008, Humberside Fire Authority adopted a Constitution to replace its traditional Standing Orders. Click here to find out more.

The HFA is now one of the few Combined Fire Authorities to have a Constitution.  It has also adopted an entirely new Committee structure, which underpins the HFA.

The adoption of a Constitution arises from a review of the governance arrangements of the HFA.  The HFA was the first pilot Combined Fire Authority for the Audit Commission’s good governance toolkit.  A bespoke review was also undertaken by Members in respect to the effectiveness of the governance arrangements.

Members decided that a Constitution provided a much stronger framework for the governance of the HFA.  The Constitution sets the right tone for the Service going forward, while providing increased mechanism for openness and transparency, public engagement and robust decision making.  The Core Values are embedded in the Constitution.  There is greater clarity of the roles and responsibilities of both Members and Officers.  In essence, the Constitution provides the basis for leadership of the HFA.

The previous Committee structure has been replaced by three key committees.  A Policy and Executive Committee, an Audit, Performance and Scrutiny Committee and Governance and Standards Committee.  This structure will bring increased clarity and more robust  decision making.  There is also increased delegation to the Chief Fire Officer & Chief Executive to manage the Service on a daily basis.

To find out more, you can access the report which went before Members on 9 May 2008 here.  You can find the new Constitution here.

Alternatively, please give Robin Graham, Secretary to the Fire Authority / Director of Corporate Administration, a call on 01482 565333.