DeHavilland FBU Report 07/06/10
Mentions
Political Party Press Releases
Fire Services
National
Central Government and Agencies
House of Commons
House of Commons Questions
Scotland
Regions
House of Commons
House of Commons Questions
Mentions
Political Party Press Releases
SNP – FBU and Youth Parliament among referendum supporters
Mon, 7 June 2010 | Scottish Political Party Press Release
Contents
FBU AND YOUTH PARLIAMENT AMONG REFERENDUM SUPPORTERS
For immediate use: Monday 7th June 2010
FIRE BRIGADE UNION AND YOUTH PARLIAMENT AMONG REFERENDUM SUPPORTERS
FBU MEMBERS BACK INDEPENDENCE
The Fire Brigades Union and the Scottish Youth Parliament are among the individuals and organisations backing a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future according to the consultation responses released today.
A poll by the FBU of nearly 1000 of its members also found a majority in support of independence for Scotland. 90% of FBU members backed a referendum to decide Scotland’s future and 60% of FBU members supported independence for Scotland.
The full range of responses also show considerable scepticism over the Calman Commission proposals with respondents urging the Government to put forward a choice between “full devolution” and independence.
The FBU response states:
“Those who are given the responsibility of decision making should execute their responsibilities within the parameters set by those who send put them in place. It is our belief that the powers of the Scottish Parliament should be set by the Scottish people. We further believe that the right and proper process for varying those powers is to ask the permission of the Scottish people in the form of a referendum.”
Meanwhile the Scottish Youth Parliament response supports both the referendum itself and the Scottish Government’s proposal to give 16 and 17 year olds a vote in that referendum.
SNP MSP for Glasgow and Deputy Whip Bill Kidd said:
“FBU support not only for a referendum but for independence is a welcome step.
“The FBU have recognised what increasing numbers of Scots recognise that without more powers it will be far harder for Scotland to reach our full potential by delivering real economic growth and fully addressing the inequalities in our society.
“The FBU, Youth Parliament and individual respondents are clear that a referendum is the best way to determine Scotland’s constitutional future.
“That referendum is not only backed by a majority of Scots but should include as many of thosein Scotlandwith an interest in Scotland’s future as possible.
“For that reason I welcome the support of the youth parliament for the SNP Government’s proposal to extend the franchise to include 16 and 17 year olds and hope parties around the Parliament will join the respondents to the consultation and back the right of Scotland’s people to make their voice heard on Scotland’s future.”
ENDS
Details of the FBU poll and consultation response can be found at
Contact SNP Press 0131 348 6228
Fire Services
Central Government and Agencies
DCLG – The Spirit of Fire Awards 2010
Tue, 8 June 2010 | Departmental Press Release
Contents
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles praised the bravery of firefighters around the country at a special reception he held at Downing Street for nominees of the Spirit of Fire Awards.
The annual awards, organised by the Fire Fighters Charity, recognise the remarkable bravery of the UK’s fire and rescue service over the past year in eleven categories including Firefighter of the Year, won by Simon Hawkins, the first firefighter in Europe to return to full duties with a prosthetic limb.
Fire Minister Bob Neill and the Government’s Chief Fire Adviser Sir Ken Knight were also at the reception.
Mr Pickles said:
“It was an honour to meet the brave men and women in our fire and rescue service who demonstrate such exceptional courage. Some have a proud record of longstanding community service and many are involved in charity work on top of their fire service.
“Each nominee and award winner has gone above and beyond the call of duty and represents the tremendous strength, commitment and excellence that can be found in fire and rescue services up and down the country.
“I’m delighted to be able to help recognise and celebrate the amazing job these men and women do every single day.”
Categories at the awards, presented this year by BBC newsreader Nicholas Owen, include Britain’s Bravest Firefighter and two awards dedicated to the general public – Child Public Hero won by Tyler Holpin and Adult Public Hero won by Oscar Smith Snr, Oscar Smith Jnr and Allan Elliott from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire
House of Commons
House of Commons Questions
Collins – Fire services (working hours)
Thu, 10 June 2010 | House of Commons – Written Answer
Contents
Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will make it his policy to retain the opt-out of the EU working time directive for retained fire crews; and if he will make a statement. [1609]
Robert Neill: This Government committed in the coalition agreement to limit the application of the working time directive in the United Kingdom. We recognise the essential flexibility that the opt-out brings and will stand firm on its retention.
Losing the opt-out from the averaged 48-hour maximum to the working week set by the EU working time directive could have a serious impact on fire and rescue services. In particular, it would greatly reduce the hours which many on-call Retained Duty System fire-fighters, who provide around 90% of operational cover geographically across the United Kingdom as a whole, could be available for duty because many already work full time for a primary employer.
Scotland
Kelly – Firefighters’ training
Wed, 9 June 2010 | Scottish Parliament – Written Answer
Contents
Scottish Question 09 June 2010
James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many firefighters have (a) commenced and (b) completed training in each year since 2006-07.
(S3W-34006)
Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government funds and runs the Scottish Fire Services College at Gullane as a shared services facility for the benefit of staff from all eight of Scotlands Fire and Rescue Services.
Over the last four years the numbers completing the trainee firefighter programme are as follows:
| Year | Whole-Time | Retained |
| 2006-07 | 113 | 68 |
| 2007-08 | 97 | 36 |
| 2008-09 | 264 | 38 |
| 2009-10 | 115 | 54 |
Only 10 firefighters commenced but did not complete the trainee firefighter programme over the period.
In addition, 2,282 staff at all levels from the eight Fire and Rescue Services have completed a variety of specialist courses at the college.
Firefighter development also takes place locally within the eight FRSs and is funded by them. Detailed statistical information about local training is not held centrally.
Kelly – Fire and Rescue Framework (Implementation)
Wed, 9 June 2010 | Scottish Parliament – Written Answer
Contents
Scottish Question 09 June 2010
James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been in implementing the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland.
(S3W-34005)
Fergus Ewing: Work towards finalising the priorities and objectives for a revised Fire and Rescue Framework are closely related to ongoing discussions between national and local government on the implications of forthcoming funding adjustments in the public sector. Given the statutory role of the framework, it is important that any new burdens are balanced and achievable and it would be inappropriate to place additional burdens on the Fire and Rescue Services without knowing the future allocation of funding they will receive. Delivery of a revised framework will therefore follow the Spending Review process later this year.
Regions
House of Commons
House of Commons Questions
Clifton-Brown – Fire Services
Tue, 8 June 2010 | House of Commons – Written Answer
Contents
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to announce his decision on the relocation of Gloucestershire’s fire control operations to the Regional Centre in Taunton; and if he will consult local stakeholders before making such a decision. [965]
Robert Neill: The previous Government’s FiReControl project has been subject to delays and increasing costs.
We are looking closely at this project to establish what we can do to improve the situation. We are committed to ensuring value-for-money for the taxpayer, improving resilience and stopping the forced regionalisation of the fire service.
We will carefully consider the implications of any decisions before announcing the next steps.
London Assembly – review of fire safety in tall and timber-framed buildings – part two
Mon, 7 June 2010 | London Assembly Press Release
Contents
The London Assembly’s review[1] of fire safety in tall and timber-framed buildings[2] continues tomorrow at a public hearing focusing on the enforcement and practicalities of Fire Risk Assessments.
From 3.30pm the Committee will question the following guests[3] about fire safety:
* Cora Vigar, Head of Corporate Services, Barnet Homes (LB Barnet’s ALMO)
* Garry Fisher, Assistant Head of HR (Health & Safety), Newham Homes (LB Newham’s ALMO)
* Kevin O’Reilly, Assistant Director for asset management, East Thames Housing Group (RSL)
* John McGrath, The London Tenants Federation
* Steve Turek, Assistant Commissioner and Head of Fire Safety Regulation, London Fire Brigade
* David Hewett, Chief Executive, Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA)
Following on from the issues raised at the Committee’s first hearing in March with a range of fire safety experts[4], the Committee will now focus on: the implementation of fire safety regulations; the duties of landlords particularly in carrying out fire risk assessments; the involvement of tenants and how they are given fire safety information and advice; and the role of the fire brigades in enforcing fire safety and providing training for landlords.
From 5pm (approx) the Committee will question Sir Stuart Hampson, Chairman of the Crown Estate, about the proposed sale of four residential estates in London.
After deciding to proceed with the sale of the freeholds of Cumberland Market, Lee Green, Millbank and Victoria Park, the Crown Estate has commenced a further period of consultation with tenants – many of whom are keyworkers – as well as marketing the estates to potential buyers. The Committee will discuss the concerns expressed about the sale by a variety of stakeholders – including the Mayor and several London boroughs – and the potential implications for tenants5.
The Planning and Housing Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, 8 June in Committee Room 4 at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend. The meeting can also be viewed via webcast at: http://www.london.gov.uk/who-runs-london/the-london-assembly/webcasts
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
