Contents
Political
The political landscape may be transformed by governance reforms and devolution.
The removal of Police and Crime Commissioners and the introduction of regional mayors or combined authorities will change how fire and rescue services are governed. These changes, outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, will bring greater local accountability and partnership working but also introduce uncertainty during transition periods. Funding models may evolve, requiring us to adapt to new mechanisms for resource allocation. For HFRS, this means remaining agile and proactive, influencing governance arrangements to ensure fire service priorities are protected and operational independence is maintained. Our CRMP will reflect these changes by aligning risk-based planning with new political structures and ensuring that engagement with communities and stakeholders remains strong and transparent.
Risks:
Governance changes may disrupt resource allocation and strategic planning, creating uncertainty in how priorities are set and funded. Political volatility may hinder long-term investment in resilience as short-term political cycles override strategic needs. Increased complexity in multi-agency coordination may lead to delays in decision-making and operational response.
Opportunities:
Greater local accountability and partnership working under combined authorities may allow HFRS to influence decisions that directly affect community safety. The ability to shape regional resilience strategies and emergency planning may strengthen our role as a trusted partner. Integration with Local Resilience Forums may enable shared risk management and more efficient use of resources.
CRMP Link:
Our CRMP will continue to adapt to governance changes to ensure risk-based planning remains robust and transparent. As political structures evolve, including potential devolution and combined authority models, CRMP priorities will guide resource allocation and service delivery. This alignment will ensure that prevention, protection, and response activities remain focused on community risk, regardless of changes in funding or accountability frameworks.