Examination of Witnesses (Questions 260-262)
BOB WILKINSON,
MR PETER
HOLLAND AND
MR CHRIS
KENNY
31 JANUARY 2006
Q260 Dr Pugh: If there
is going to be a North West Police Force, or something larger
than you currently have at the moment, would you sooner have it
decided earlier than the Government intend to have it decided?
Mr Holland: I should certainly
want to be involved in the discussions. The issue professionally
from a Fire and Rescue Service point of view is that there is
no evidence that larger Fire and Rescue Services are more efficient
than smaller Fire and Rescue Services, in fact there are some
very efficient smaller Fire and Rescue Services in existence now.
Q261 Mr Hands: A question
on comprehensive performance assessment or CPA, do you think the
recent CPA review and process has enabled a robust and thorough
review of the Fire Service in your case?
Mr Holland: We found it extremely
helpful in focusing our efforts towards modernising the service
on the issues it focused on. It was clearly lacking in that it
did not look at the thing which is most important to the public,
that is delivery of service to the public, other than judging
us on outcomes, clearly very important outcomes, on reducing fire
deaths and injuries and fires generally.
Q262 Mr Hands: On balance
did you find it beneficial compared with the additional costs
involved? How much do you think it cost the authority?
Mr Holland: In cash terms we spent
around £20,000, but officers' time was involved which we
have not quantified. We could try to put some numbers on that
for you, if that would be helpful.
Chair: It would be, if you would not
mind. Just drop us a note about it. Thank you very much indeed,
it has been very helpful.
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