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Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004

Type Public General Act

Publication 2004-07-22

Last updated 2024-06-25

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(2) The Secretary of State may make one or more schemes for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities from an existing fire and rescue authority (“the transferor”) to the fire and rescue authority created by the order (“the transferee”).

(3) The things that may be transferred under a transfer scheme include—

(a) property, rights and liabilities that could not otherwise be transferred;

(b) property acquired, and rights and liabilities arising, after the making of the scheme;

(4) A transfer scheme may make supplementary, incidental, transitional and consequential provision and may in particular—

(a) create rights, or impose liabilities, in relation to property or rights transferred;

(b) make provision about the continuing effect of things done by the transferor in respect of anything transferred;

(c) make provision about the continuation of things (including legal proceedings) in the process of being done by, on behalf of or in relation to the transferor in respect of anything transferred;

(d) make provision for references to the transferor in an instrument or other document in respect of anything transferred to be treated as references to the transferee;

(e) make provision for the shared ownership or use of property.

(5) A transfer scheme may provide—

(a) for the scheme to be modified by agreement after it comes into effect, and

(b) for any such modifications to have effect from the date when the original scheme comes into effect.

(6) In this section—

(a) references to the transfer of property include the grant of a lease;

(b) references to rights and liabilities include rights and liabilities under a contract of employment.

4D

(1) A person who is a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A is to be paid allowances, in respect of expenses incurred by the person in the exercise of the authority’s functions, which are of the kinds and amounts determined by the Secretary of State as payable in accordance with this subsection.

(2) A determination under subsection (1) may make different provision for different cases.

(3) Payments under subsection (1) are to be made by the fire and rescue authority.

(4) A fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A must appoint a person to be responsible for the proper administration of the authority’s financial affairs (a “chief finance officer”).

(5) A fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A must appoint a person to act as chief finance officer of the authority if and so long as—

(a) that post is vacant, or

(b) the holder of that post is, in the authority’s opinion, unable to carry out the duties of that post.

(6) Section 113 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (qualifications of responsible officer) applies to a person appointed under subsection (4) or (5) as it applies to the persons having responsibility for the administration of financial affairs mentioned in that section.

(7) A fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A may—

(a) appoint such other staff as the authority thinks appropriate to enable the authority to exercise the functions of the authority;

(b) pay remuneration, allowances and gratuities to members of the authority’s staff.

(8) In subsection (7) “allowances”, in relation to a member of the authority’s staff, means allowances in respect of expenses incurred by the member of staff in the course of employment as such a member of staff.

(9) A fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A may pay—

(a) pensions to, or in respect of, persons who are or have been members of the authority’s staff, and

(b) amounts for or towards the provision of pensions to, or in respect of, persons who are or have been members of the authority’s staff.

(10) An order under section 4A may make provision—

(a) about the delegation by the fire and rescue authority created by the order of the authority’s functions to the person who is for the time being the relevant deputy police and crime commissioner;

(b) about the further delegation of such functions by that person to a member of staff of the authority or of the relevant police and crime commissioner;

(c) about the delegation by the authority of such functions to a member of staff of the authority or of the relevant police and crime commissioner.

(11) In subsection (10)—

“the relevant deputy police and crime commissioner” means the deputy police and crime commissioner for the police area—which corresponds to the area of the fire and rescue authority, orwithin which the area of the fire and rescue authority falls;

“the relevant police and crime commissioner” means the police and crime commissioner for that police area.

(12) References in subsection (10) to a member of staff of a police and crime commissioner are to any of the following persons appointed under Schedule 1 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011—

(a) the commissioner’s chief executive;

(b) the commissioner’s chief finance officer;

(13) Provision made under subsection (10) may—

(a) enable the delegation of any of the functions of the fire and rescue authority;

(b) enable the delegation of any of the functions of the authority other than those specified or described in the order;

(14) An order under section 4A may make provision about—

(a) the personal liability of a person who is the fire and rescue authority created by the order for acts or omissions done by the person in the exercise of the authority’s functions;

(b) the personal liability of a person who is a member of staff of the fire and rescue authority created by the order for acts or omissions done by the person in the carrying out of duties as a member of staff.

(15) A fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A may acquire land compulsorily.

(16) The Acquisition of Land Act 1981 applies in relation to the compulsory purchase of land pursuant to subsection (15).

4E

(1) Each fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A must keep a fund to be known as the fire fund.

(2) All of the receipts of a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A must be paid into the relevant fire fund.

(3) All of the expenditure of a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A must be paid out of the relevant fire fund.

(4) A fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A must keep accounts of payments made into or out of the relevant fire fund.

(5) Subsections (2) and (3) are subject to the provisions of—

(a) the scheme established under section 26 of the Fire Services Act 1947 (Firemen’s Pension Scheme) (as continued in force by order under section 36),

(b) a scheme under section 34 (pensions etc), or

(6) In this section “relevant fire fund”, in relation to a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A, means the fire fund which that authority keeps.

4F

(1) A fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A must exercise its functions efficiently and effectively.

(2) A person who is the fire and rescue authority by virtue of an order under section 4A may not act in that office unless the person has made and delivered a declaration of acceptance of office under section 70 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 in accordance with that section.

(3) Subsections (4) and (5) apply if—

(a) an order under section 4A has effect for the area of a fire and rescue authority, and

(b) an acting commissioner is appointed under section 62 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 for the police area—

(i) which corresponds to the area of the fire and rescue authority, or

(ii) within which the area of the fire and rescue authority falls.

(4) The acting commissioner is to act as the fire and rescue authority for the period of the acting commissioner’s appointment.

(5) Accordingly—

(a) all of the functions of the fire and rescue authority are exercisable by the acting commissioner during that period, and

(b) any property or rights vested in the fire and rescue authority may be dealt with by the acting commissioner in that period as if vested in the acting commissioner.

(6) Subsection (7) applies if a person elected as police and crime commissioner for a police area—

(a) is disqualified from being, or being elected as, a police and crime commissioner, or

(b) is disqualified from being, or being elected as, the police and crime commissioner for that area.

(7) Any acts of the person when acting in the office of fire and rescue authority are, despite that disqualification, as valid and effectual as if the person had not been disqualified.

4G

(1) The transitional provision which may be made by an order under section 4A by virtue of section 60(2)(b) includes, in particular, provision of the kind described in the following provisions of this section.

(2) An order under section 4A may make provision for a specified person to be the shadow fire and rescue authority for the area to which the order relates for a specified period.

(3) A shadow fire and rescue authority is a person who has the specified functions of a fire and rescue authority in relation to that area, but is not otherwise the fire and rescue authority for that area.

(4) An order under section 4A which includes provision by virtue of subsection (2) may make provision about the operation of any enactment in relation to—

(a) the shadow fire and rescue authority, or

(b) any other person to whom the enactment would otherwise apply.

(5) This includes provision for the enactment to apply with modifications in relation to a person within subsection (4)(a) or (b).

(6) An order under section 4A may make provision about the operation of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in relation to the fire and rescue authority created by the order during a specified period beginning with the time when the authority becomes the fire and rescue authority for the area to which the order relates.

(7) This includes provision for that Act to apply for that period with modifications in relation to—

(a) the authority, or

(b) any other person to whom that Act would otherwise apply.

(8) Provision under subsection (4) or (6) may, in particular, make different provision for different parts of an authority’s area.

(9) In this section—

(a) “specified” means specified in an order under section 4A;

(b) “enactment” includes an enactment contained in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978;

4H

(1) The Secretary of State may by order make provision about—

(a) the delegation of functions of a fire and rescue authority created, or to be created, by an order under section 4A to the chief constable of the police force for the police area—

(i) which corresponds to the area of the fire and rescue authority, or

(ii) within which the area of the fire and rescue authority falls;

(b) the delegation by such a chief constable of the chief constable’s fire and rescue functions.

(2) Provision made under subsection (1) may—

(a) enable the delegation of any of the functions mentioned in that subsection;

(b) enable the delegation of any of the functions mentioned in that subsection other than those specified or described in the order;

(c) enable the delegation of such of the functions mentioned in that subsection as are specified or described in the order.

(3) Provision made under subsection (1)(b) may enable delegation to—

(a) members of the chief constable’s police force;

(b) the civilian staff of that police force, as defined by section 102(4) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011;

(d) members of staff appointed by the chief constable under section 4I(4).

(4) An order under this section may be made only if the relevant police and crime commissioner has submitted a proposal for the order to the Secretary of State.

(5) An order under this section may be made only if it appears to the Secretary of State that—

(a) it is in the interests of economy, efficiency and effectiveness for the order to be made, or

(b) it is in the interests of public safety for the order to be made.

(6) The Secretary of State may not make an order under this section in a case within subsection (5)(a) if the Secretary of State thinks that the order would have an adverse effect on public safety.

(7) In this section “relevant police and crime commissioner” has the same meaning as in Schedule A1; and that Schedule makes provision about the procedure for an order under this section which is not combined, or not proposed to be combined, with an order under section 4A (see in particular paragraph 7 of that Schedule).

(8) In this section “fire and rescue functions”, in relation to a chief constable, means—

(a) functions which are delegated to the chief constable under provision made under subsection (1)(a), and

(b) functions relating to fire and rescue services which are conferred on the chief constable by or by virtue of any enactment.

(9) This section is subject to section 37 (prohibition on employment of police in fire-fighting).

4I

(1) If an order is made under section 4H, the Secretary of State may make one or more schemes for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities—

(a) from a fire and rescue authority to the chief constable to whom the order applies, or

(b) from that chief constable to the fire and rescue authority to which the order applies.

(2) The fire and rescue authority mentioned in subsection (1)(a) may be one created by an order under section 4A or another kind of fire and rescue authority.

(3) Subsections (3) to (6) of section 4C apply to a transfer scheme under subsection (2) as they apply to a transfer scheme under that section.

(4) A chief constable to whom an order under section 4H applies may appoint staff for the purpose of the exercise of the chief constable’s fire and rescue functions.

(5) A chief constable to whom an order under section 4H applies may—

(a) pay remuneration, allowances and gratuities to members of the chief constable’s fire and rescue staff;

(b) pay pensions to, or in respect of, persons who are or have been such members of staff;

(c) pay amounts for or towards the provision of pensions to, or in respect of, persons who are or have been such members of staff.

(6) In subsection (5) “allowances”, in relation to a member of staff, means allowances in respect of expenses incurred by the member of staff in the course of employment as such a member of staff.

(7) Subject to subsections (8) to (10), a person who is employed pursuant to a transfer by virtue of subsection (1) or an appointment under subsection (4) may not at the same time be employed pursuant to an appointment by a chief constable of the police force for a police area under Schedule 2 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

(8) Where an order under section 4H is in force in relation to the chief constable of the police force for a police area, the person who is for the time being the police force’s chief finance officer is to be responsible for the proper administration of financial affairs relating to the exercise of the chief constable’s fire and rescue functions.

(9) Subsection (7) does not prevent a person who is employed as a finance officer for fire functions from being at the same time employed as a finance officer for police functions.

(10) In subsection (9)—

“finance officer for fire functions” means a member of a chief constable’s fire and rescue staffwho—is not a chief finance officer of the kind mentioned in subsection (8), andis employed to carry out duties relating to the proper administration of financial affairs relating to the exercise of the chief constable’s fire and rescue functions;

“finance officer for police functions” means a member of a chief constable’s civilian staff within the meaning of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 who—is not a chief finance officer of the kind mentioned in subsection (8), andis employed to carry out duties relating to the proper administration of a police force’s financial affairs.

(11) Where an order under section 4H is in force, the fire and rescue authority to which the order applies must pay—

(a) any damages or costs awarded against the chief constable to whom the order applies in any proceedings brought against the chief constable in respect of the acts or omissions of a member of the chief constable’s fire and rescue staff;

(b) any costs incurred by the chief constable in any such proceedings so far as not recovered by the chief constable in the proceedings;

(c) any sum required in connection with the settlement of any claim made against the chief constable in respect of the acts or omissions of a member of the chief constable’s fire and rescue staff, if the settlement is approved by the authority.

(12) Where an order under section 4H is in force, the fire and rescue authority to which the order applies may, in such cases and to such extent as appears to the authority to be appropriate, pay—

(a) any damages or costs awarded against a member of the fire and rescue staff of the chief constable to whom the order applies in proceedings for any unlawful conduct of that member of staff;

(b) costs incurred and not recovered by such a member of staff in such proceedings;

(13) In this section—

“fire and rescue functions” has the same meaning as in section 4H;

“fire and rescue staff”, in relation to a chief constable to whom an order under section 4H applies, means—staff transferred to the chief constable under a scheme under subsection (1), andstaff appointed by the chief constable under subsection (4).

4J

(1) This section applies if—

(a) an order under section 4H makes provision in relation to the area of a fire and rescue authority, and

(b) under the order, functions of the fire and rescue authority are delegated to the chief constable of the police force for the police area—

(i) which corresponds to the area of the fire and rescue authority, or

(ii) within which the area of the fire and rescue authority falls.

(2) The chief constable must secure that good value for money is obtained in exercising—

(a) functions which are delegated under the order, and

(b) functions relating to fire and rescue services which are conferred on the chief constable by or by virtue of any enactment.

(3) The chief constable must secure that persons exercising functions delegated by the chief constable under the order obtain good value for money in exercising those functions.

(4) The fire and rescue authority must—

(a) secure the exercise of the duties which are delegated to the chief constable under the order,

(b) secure the exercise of the duties relating to fire and rescue services which are imposed on the chief constable by or by virtue of any enactment,

(c) secure that functions which are delegated to the chief constable under the order are exercised efficiently and effectively, and

(d) secure that functions relating to fire and rescue services which are conferred or imposed on the chief constable by or by virtue of any enactment are exercised efficiently and effectively.

(5) The fire and rescue authority must hold the chief constable to account for the exercise of such functions.

4K

(1) If an order is made under section 4H(1)(b) that enables delegation to members of a police force or the civilian staff of a police force, the Secretary of State may by order amend Part 2 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (persons serving with the police: complaints and conduct matters etc) in consequence of that provision.

(2) If an order is made under section 4H(1)(b) that enables delegation to members of staff transferred to a chief constable under a scheme under section 4I(1) or appointed by a chief constable under section 4I(4), the Secretary of State may by order make provision of the type described in subsection (3) in relation to those members of staff.

(3) The provision referred to in subsection (2) is—

(a) provision corresponding or similar to any provision made by or under Part 2 of the Police Reform Act 2002;

(b) provision applying (with or without modifications) any provision made by or under Part 2 of that Act.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order, in consequence of any provision made under subsection (2), amend Part 2 of the Police Reform Act 2002.

(5) Before making an order under this section the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales,

(b) the Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct,

(d) such persons as appear to the Secretary of State to represent the views of fire and rescue authorities, and

(e) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

4L

(1) The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) apply (with or without modifications) any provision of a fire and rescue enactment in relation to a person within subsection (2);

(b) make, in relation to a person within subsection (2), provision corresponding or similar to any provision of a fire and rescue enactment.

(2) Those persons are—

(a) a chief constable of a police force for a police area to whom an order under section 4H applies,

(b) a member of staff transferred to such a chief constable under a scheme under section 4I(1),

(d) a member of such a chief constable’s police force to whom functions have been delegated by virtue of section 4H(1)(b), and

(e) a member of the civilian staff of such a police force (as defined by section 102(4) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011) to whom functions have been delegated by virtue of section 4H(1)(b).

(3) The power conferred by subsection (1)(a) or (b) includes power to apply (with or without modifications) any provision made under a fire and rescue enactment or make provision corresponding or similar to any such provision.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order amend, revoke or repeal a provision of or made under an enactment in consequence of provision made by virtue of subsection (1).

(5) In this section “fire and rescue enactment” means an enactment relating to a fire and rescue authority (including, in particular, an enactment relating to an employee of such an authority or property of such an authority).

This includes an enactment contained in this Act.

(6) References in this section to an enactment or to provision made under an enactment are to an enactment whenever passed or (as the case may be) to provision whenever the instrument containing it is made.

4M

(1) Schedule A2 makes provision about the application, in relation to a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A, of legislation relating to police and crime commissioners.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) apply (with or without modifications) any provision of a local policing enactment in relation to a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A;

(b) make, in relation to a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A, provision corresponding or similar to any provision of a local policing enactment.

(3) The power conferred by subsection (2)(a) or (b) includes power to apply (with or without modifications) any provision made by or under a local policing enactment or make provision corresponding or similar to any such provision.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order amend, revoke or repeal a provision of or made under an enactment in consequence of provision made by virtue of subsection (2).

(5) In this section “local policing enactment” means an enactment relating to a police and crime commissioner.

(6) References in this section to an enactment or to provision made under an enactment are to an enactment whenever passed or (as the case may be) to provision whenever the instrument containing it is made.

Powers of certain fire and rescue authorities

Interpretation of Part 1

5M

In this Part—

“City of London police area” means the City of London as defined for the purposes of the Acts relating to the City of London police force;

“metropolitan police district” means that district as defined in section 76 of the London Government Act 1963;

“police area” means a police area listed in Schedule 1 to the Police Act 1996 (police areas outside London).

Core functions

Limits on charging under section 18A(1)

Cases where a charge may be made for responding to report of fire etc

Report

Police and crime plan

25A

A fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A must, in carrying out its functions, have regard to the police and crime plan issued by the police and crime commissioner for the police area—

(a) which corresponds to the area of the fire and rescue authority, or

(b) within which the area of the fire and rescue authority falls.

28A

(1) The chief fire and rescue inspector for England must from time to time prepare—

(a) a document setting out what inspections of fire and rescue authorities in England the English inspectors propose to carry out under section 28(A3) (an “inspection programme”);

(b) a document setting out the manner in which the English inspectors propose to carry out the function conferred on them by section 28(A3) (an “inspection framework”).

(2) The chief fire and rescue inspector for England must obtain the approval of the Secretary of State to an inspection programme or inspection framework before the English inspectors act in accordance with it.

(3) The Secretary of State may at any time require the chief fire and rescue inspector for England to carry out, or arrange for another English inspector to carry out, an inspection under section 28(A3) of—

(a) a fire and rescue authority in England;

(b) all fire and rescue authorities in England;

(4) A requirement imposed under subsection (3) may limit the inspection to a particular matter.

(5) The chief fire and rescue inspector for England or, at the request of that inspector, any other English inspector may carry out an inspection under section 28(A3) of a fire and rescue authority in England that has not been set out in an inspection programme (and has not been required under subsection (3)).

(6) Before deciding to carry out, or to request another English inspector to carry out, an inspection of a fire and rescue authority in England that has not been set out in an inspection programme, the chief fire and rescue inspector for England must consult the Secretary of State.

(7) Nothing in an inspection programme or inspection framework is to be read as preventing an English inspector from making a visit without notice.

(8) In this section “English inspector” means an inspector appointed under section 28(A1).

28B

(1) The chief fire and rescue inspector for England must arrange for a report prepared under section 28(A3) to be published in such manner as appears to him or her to be appropriate.

(2) But the chief fire and rescue inspector for England must exclude from publication under subsection (1) anything that he or she considers—

(a) would be against the interests of national security, or

(b) might jeopardise the safety of any person.

(3) The chief fire and rescue inspector for England must—

(a) send a copy of the published report to the Secretary of State, and

(b) disclose to the Secretary of State anything excluded from publication by virtue of subsection (2).

(4) The chief fire and rescue inspector for England must in each year submit to the Secretary of State a report on the carrying out of inspections under section 28(A3) (during the period since the last report).

(5) A report under subsection (4) must include the chief fire and rescue inspector for England’s assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of fire and rescue authorities in England for the period in respect of which the report is prepared.

(6) The chief fire and rescue inspector for England must lay before Parliament a copy of a report submitted under subsection (4).

(7) In this section “English inspector” means an inspector appointed under section 28(A1).

Meaning of “local authority”

Extent

Provision of intelligence service information to English inspectors

Schedule A1

1

(1) A proposal for an order under section 4A (a “section 4A proposal”) must contain an assessment of why—

(a) it is in the interests of economy, efficiency and effectiveness for the order to be made, or

(b) it is in the interests of public safety for the order to be made.

(2) If the proposal suggests that an order under section 4A should be combined with an order under section 4H (delegation to chief constable for police area), the proposal must set out the reasons for that suggestion.

2

(1) A relevant fire and rescue authority must cooperate with a relevant police and crime commissioner in the preparation of a section 4A proposal.

(2) A relevant fire and rescue authority must, in particular, provide a relevant police and crime commissioner with such information held by the authority as the commissioner reasonably requires for the purposes of the preparation of the proposal.

(3) Sub-paragraph (2) does not require the authority to provide information if to do so would breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the authority, or

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(4) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply if the proposal is for an order to create a fire and rescue authority for an area which, before the order is made, contains only the areas of two or more fire and rescue authorities created by order under section 4A.

3

(1) Before submitting a section 4A proposal to the Secretary of State, a relevant police and crime commissioner must—

(a) consult each relevant local authority about the proposal,

(b) consult people in the commissioner’s police area about the proposal,

(i) persons appearing to the commissioner to represent employees who may be affected by the proposal;

(ii) persons appearing to the commissioner to represent members of a police force who may be so affected, and

(d) publish, in such manner as the commissioner thinks appropriate, the commissioner’s response to the representations made or views expressed in response to those consultations.

(2) Each consultation under sub-paragraph (1) is to be carried out in such manner as the relevant police and crime commissioner thinks appropriate.

4

(1) Sub-paragraphs (2) to (4) apply if, in response to a consultation by a relevant police and crime commissioner under paragraph 3(1)(a), a relevant local authority indicates that it does not support a section 4A proposal.

(2) The commissioner must, in submitting the proposal to the Secretary of State, provide the Secretary of State with—

(a) copies of each document provided by the commissioner for the purposes of paragraph 3,

(b) copies of each representation made by a relevant local authority in response,

(d) a summary of the views expressed about the proposal by persons consulted under paragraph 3(1)(c), and

(e) the commissioner’s response to those representations and views.

(3) The Secretary of State must—

(a) obtain an independent assessment of the proposal, and

(b) have regard to that assessment and to the material provided to the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (2) in deciding whether to make an order under section 4A in response to the proposal.

(4) The Secretary of State must publish the independent assessment—

(a) as soon as is reasonably practicable after making a determination in response to the proposal, and

(b) in such manner as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.

5

(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary of State may, in making an order under section 4A, give effect to the proposal for the order with such modifications as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.

(2) If paragraph 1 (2) applies to the proposal, the Secretary of State may not in response to the proposal make an order under section 4A which is not combined with an order under section 4H.

(3) Before making an order which gives effect to the proposal for the order with modifications, the Secretary of State must consult the following on the modifications—

(a) the relevant police and crime commissioner;

(b) each relevant local authority.

6

(1) In this Schedule “section 4A proposal” has the meaning given by paragraph 1 (1).

(2) In this Schedule “relevant police and crime commissioner”, in relation to a section 4A proposal, means a police and crime commissioner—

(a) whose police area is the same as, or contains all of, the area of the fire and rescue authority proposed to be created by the order, or

(b) all or part of whose police area falls within the area of that fire and rescue authority.

(3) Any changes to the police areas contained in the proposal are to be disregarded in determining who is a relevant police and crime commissioner for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2).

(4) If there is more than one relevant police and crime commissioner in relation to a section 4A proposal, references in this Schedule to the relevant police and crime commissioner are to all of those police and crime commissioners acting jointly.

(5) In this Schedule “relevant fire and rescue authority”, in relation to a section 4A proposal prepared by a police and crime commissioner, means a fire and rescue authority—

(a) whose area is the same as, or contains all of, the police area of the police and crime commissioner, or

(b) all or part of whose area falls within the police area of the police and crime commissioner.

(6) In this Schedule “relevant local authority”, in relation to a section 4A proposal, means a local authority—

(a) whose area is the same as, or contains all of, the area of the fire and rescue authority proposed to be created by the order, or

(b) all or part of whose area falls within the area of that fire and rescue authority.

(7) In sub-paragraph (6) “local authority” means—

(a) a county council,

(b) a district council for an area for which there is no county council,

(d) a combined authority established under section 103 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 which exercises the functions of a fire and rescue authority by virtue of section 105 or 105A of that Act.

7

(1) This paragraph makes provision about the application of this Schedule to an order under section 4H which is not combined, or proposed to be combined, with an order under section 4A (a “section 4H order”).

(2) Subject as follows, this Schedule applies to a section 4H order as it applies to an order under section 4A.

(3) The following provisions of this Schedule do not apply in relation to a section 4H order—

(a) paragraph 1 (2);

(b) paragraph 5 (2);

(4) In the application of this Schedule to a section 4H order—

(a) “relevant police and crime commissioner” means the police and crime commissioner for the police area—

(i) which corresponds to the area of the fire and rescue authority to which the order relates, or

(ii) within which the area of that fire and rescue authority falls;

(b) “relevant fire and rescue authority” means that fire and rescue authority, and

(i) whose area is the same as, or contains all of, the area of that fire and rescue authority, or

(ii) all or part of whose area falls within the area of that fire and rescue authority.

Schedule A2

1

(1) This Schedule makes provision about the application of certain enactments relating to police and crime commissioners to a relevant fire and rescue authority.

(2) In this Schedule—

“relevant chief constable”, in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority, means the chief constable of a police force (if any) to whom functions of the authority have been delegated under provision made under section 4H;

“relevant fire and rescue authority” means a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A;

“relevant police and crime panel”, in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority, means the police and crime panel for the police area—which corresponds to the area of the fire and rescue authority, orwithin which the area of the fire and rescue authority falls.

(3) In this Schedule “fire and rescue plan” means a document which—

(a) is prepared and published by a relevant fire and rescue authority in accordance with the Fire and Rescue National Framework, and

(b) sets out the authority’s priorities and objectives, for the period covered by the document, in connection with the discharge of the authority’s functions.

(4) In this Schedule “fire and rescue statement” means a document which—

(a) is prepared and published by a relevant fire and rescue authority in accordance with the Fire and Rescue National Framework, and

(b) contains a statement of the way in which the authority has had regard, in the period covered by the document, to the Framework and to any fire and rescue plan prepared by the authority for that period.

2

(1) Subsections (1), (1B), (2), (5A) and (5B) of section 96 of the Police Act 1996 (arrangements for obtaining the views of the community on policing) apply in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as they apply in relation to an elected local policing body, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), those subsections have effect as if—

(a) the reference in subsection (1) to each police area were to each area of a relevant fire and rescue authority,

(b) in that subsection, for paragraphs (a) and (b) and the words following those paragraphs there were substituted “the views of people in that area about fire and rescue services”,

(c) in subsections (1B) and (5A) the references to a police area listed in Schedule 1 to that Act were to the area of a relevant fire and rescue authority,

(d) the reference in subsection (2) to the police area were to the area of the relevant fire and rescue authority, and

(e) the reference in that subsection to the chief officer of police for that police area were to the relevant chief constable.

3

(1) Subsections (6) to (12) of section 5 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (scrutiny of police and crime plans) apply in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as they apply in relation to an elected local policing body, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), those subsections have effect as if—

(a) references to a police and crime plan were to a fire and rescue plan,

(b) references to the relevant chief constable (within the meaning of that section) were to the relevant chief constable (within the meaning of this Schedule),

(c) references to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of that Act) were to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of this Schedule),

(d) in subsection (9), paragraph (b)(ii) and the words following that paragraph were omitted, and

(e) in subsection (10)(a) the words from “and to each” to “relevant police area” were omitted.

4

(1) Section 11 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (information for public etc) applies in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as it applies in relation to an elected local policing body, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), that section has effect as if—

(a) references to the relevant chief officer of police were to the relevant chief constable, and

(b) references to the chief officer’s functions were to the relevant chief constable’s fire and rescue functions.

5

(1) Subsections (2) to (5) of section 12 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (annual reports) apply in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as they apply in relation to an elected local policing body, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), those subsections have effect as if—

(a) references to an annual report were to a fire and rescue statement, and

(b) references to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of that Act) were to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of this Schedule).

6

(1) Section 13 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (information for police and crime panels) applies in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as it applies in relation to an elected local policing body, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), that section has effect as if—

(a) references to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of that Act) were to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of this Schedule), and

(b) in subsection (2), paragraphs (a) to (c) were omitted.

7

(1) Subsections (1), (2) and (4) to (7) of section 17 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (duties when carrying out functions) apply in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as they apply in relation to an elected local policing body, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), those subsections have effect as if—

(a) the reference in subsection (1) to policing in an elected local policing body’s area were to fire and rescue services in the relevant fire and rescue authority’s area,

(b) the reference in subsection (2) to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of that Act) were to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of this Schedule),

(c) the reference in that subsection to any report or recommendations made by the panel on the annual report for the previous financial year were to any report or recommendations made by the panel with respect to the discharge of the relevant fire and rescue authority’s functions, and

(d) the reference in subsection (7) to elected local policing bodies were to relevant fire and rescue authorities.

8

(1) Subsections (2) to (9) and (11) of section 28 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (police and crime panels outside London) apply in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as they apply in relation to a police and crime commissioner, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), those subsections have effect as if—

(a) references to the police and crime panel or a police and crime panel were to the relevant police and crime panel,

(b) the references in subsection (3) to the draft police and crime plan were to the draft fire and rescue plan,

(d) the references in subsections (5) and (6) to Schedules 1 and 5 were to those Schedules as applied by this Schedule,

(da) the references in subsection (6) to the commissioner’s functions were to the functions of the relevant fire and rescue authority that are excluded functions for the purposes of section 28(A6) of this Act (see section 28(A7)),

(e) the references in those subsections to Schedule 8 were omitted, and

(f) the second reference in subsection (8) to the police area were to the area of the relevant fire and rescue authority.

9

(1) Section 29 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (power to require attendance and information) applies in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as it applies in relation to a police and crime commissioner, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), that section has effect as if—

(a) references to the police and crime panel or a police and crime panel were to the relevant police and crime panel, and

(b) the reference in subsection (6) to the relevant chief constable (within the meaning of that section) were to the relevant chief constable (within the meaning of this Schedule).

10

Section 31 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (conduct of police and crime commissioner etc) applies in relation to a holder of the office of relevant fire and rescue authority as it applies in relation to a holder of the office of police and crime commissioner.

11

(1) Paragraphs 9(1)(b) and (2) and 10 to 12 of Schedule 1 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (scrutiny of appointment of chief finance officer) apply in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as they apply in relation to a police and crime commissioner, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), those paragraphs have effect as if—

(a) the references in paragraph 9 to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of that Act) were to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of this Schedule),

(b) the reference in paragraph 9(1)(b) to the commissioner’s chief finance officer were to the relevant fire and rescue authority’s chief finance officer within the meaning of section 4D of this Act,

(c) the references in paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 to the police and crime panel or a police crime panel were to the relevant police and crime panel, and

(d) paragraph 10(9) defined “relevant post-election period” as the period that—

(i) begins with the day of the poll at an ordinary election under section 50 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 of the police and crime commissioner for the relevant police area, and

(ii) ends with the day on which the person elected as that police and crime commissioner delivers a declaration of acceptance of office under section 70 of that Act.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2)(d)(i) “the relevant police area” means the police area—

(a) which corresponds to the area of the relevant fire and rescue authority, or

(b) within which the area of the relevant fire and rescue authority falls.

12

(1) Schedule 5 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (issuing precepts) applies in relation to a relevant fire and rescue authority as it applies in relation to a police and crime commissioner, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), that Schedule has effect as if references to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of that Act) or to the police and crime panel were to the relevant police and crime panel (within the meaning of this Schedule).

13

(1) Schedule 7 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (regulations about complaints and conduct matters) applies in relation to a holder of the office of relevant fire and rescue authority as it applies in relation to a holder of the office of police and crime commissioner, subject to sub-paragraph (2).

(2) As applied by sub-paragraph (1), that Schedule has effect as if references to police and crime panels were to relevant police and crime panels.

Schedule A3

1

(1) This paragraph applies for the purposes of this Schedule.

(2) References to an English inspector are to an inspector appointed under section 28(A1).

(3) References to the inspection function are to the function conferred on the English inspectors by section 28(A3).

(4) References to a person providing services to a fire and rescue authority are to a person providing services, in pursuance of contractual arrangements (but without being employed by a fire and rescue authority), to assist the fire and rescue authority in relation to the exercise of its functions.

(5) “Public authority” includes any person certain of whose functions are functions of a public nature.

2

An English inspector may arrange for the inspection function to be exercised (to such extent as the inspector may determine) by another public authority on behalf of the inspector.

3

An English inspector, when exercising the inspection function, must co-operate with Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary.

4

An English inspector may act jointly with Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary where it is appropriate to do so for the efficient and effective exercise of the inspection function.

5

(1) The chief fire and rescue inspector for England may, if he or she thinks it appropriate to do so, provide assistance to any other public authority for the purpose of the exercise by that authority of its functions.

(2) The chief fire and rescue inspector for England may do anything he or she thinks appropriate to facilitate the carrying out of an inspection under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999 (inspection of best value authorities).

(3) Anything done under this paragraph may be done on such terms (including terms as to payment) as the chief fire and rescue inspector for England thinks fit.

6

(1) An English inspector may serve on a relevant person a notice requiring the person—

(a) to provide the inspector with any information or documents that the inspector reasonably requires for the purpose of the exercise of the inspection function;

(b) to produce or deliver up to the inspector any evidence or other things that the inspector reasonably requires for that purpose.

This is subject to sub-paragraphs (6) to (8).

(2) In sub-paragraph (1), “relevant person” means—

(a) a fire and rescue authority in England;

(b) an employee of a fire and rescue authority in England;

(d) an employee of a person providing services to a fire and rescue authority in England;

(e) any other person who is, by virtue of any enactment, carrying out any of the activities of a fire and rescue authority in England.

(3) A notice under this paragraph must—

(a) specify or describe the information, documents, evidence or other things that are required by the inspector;

(b) specify the period within which the information, documents, evidence or other things must be provided, produced or delivered up.

(4) A notice under this paragraph may specify the form and manner in which any information, documents, evidence or other things are to be provided, produced or delivered up.

(5) An English inspector may cancel a notice under this paragraph by written notice to the person on whom it was served.

(6) A notice under this paragraph must not be used to obtain information, or any document or other thing, from a person if—

(a) the information, or the document or other thing, was obtained by that person (directly or indirectly) from a body or other entity mentioned in sub-paragraph (7), or

(b) the information, or the document or other thing, relates to a body or other entity mentioned in that sub-paragraph.

(7) The bodies and other entities referred to in sub-paragraph (6) are—

(a) the Security Service,

(b) the Secret Intelligence Service,

(d) any part of Her Majesty’s forces, or of the Ministry of Defence, which engages in intelligence activities.

(8) A notice under this paragraph must not require a person—

(a) to provide information that might incriminate the person;

(b) to provide an item subject to legal privilege within the meaning of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (see section 10 of that Act).

(9) In this paragraph—

“document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded;

“English inspector” includes—a person appointed under section 28(A5) as an assistant inspector or other officer;a person authorised by an English inspector to act on behalf of the inspector for the purposes of this paragraph.

7

(1) An English inspector may serve on a person a notice requiring the person to allow the inspector access, which the inspector reasonably requires for the purpose of the exercise of the inspection function, to—

(a) premises that are occupied (wholly or partly) for the purposes of —

(i) a fire and rescue authority in England,

(ii) a person providing services to a fire and rescue authority in England, or

(iii) any other person who is, by virtue of any enactment, carrying out any of the activities of a fire and rescue authority in England, and

(b) documents and other things on those premises.

(2) A notice under this paragraph must—

(a) specify or describe the premises to which the inspector requires access;

(b) specify the time when access is required (which may be immediately after the service of the notice).

(3) Where there are reasonable grounds for not allowing the inspector to have access to the premises at the time specified under sub-paragraph (2)(b), the requirement under this paragraph has effect as a requirement to secure that access is allowed to the inspector at the earliest practicable time specified by the inspector after there cease to be such grounds.

(4) An English inspector may cancel a notice under this paragraph by written notice to the person on whom it was served.

(5) In this paragraph “document” and “English inspector” have the same meanings as in paragraph 6 (and, for that purpose, the reference in paragraph (b) of the definition of “English inspector” in paragraph 6(9) to paragraph 6 is to be read as a reference to this paragraph).

8

(1) If a person who has received a notice under paragraph 6 or 7—

(a) fails or refuses without reasonable excuse to do what is required by the notice, or

(b) (in the case of a notice under paragraph 6) knowingly or recklessly provides information in response to the notice that is false in a material respect,

the chief fire and rescue inspector for England may certify in writing to the High Court that the person has failed to comply with the notice.

(2) The High Court may then inquire into the matter and, after hearing any witness who may be produced against or on behalf of the person, and after hearing any statement offered in defence, deal with the person as if the person had committed a contempt of court.

9

(1) Where an English inspector, in exercise of the inspection function, receives information within sub-paragraph (2), the inspector must not disclose the information, or the fact that it has been received, unless the relevant authority consents to the disclosure.

(2) The information is—

(a) intelligence service information;

(b) information obtained from a government department which, at the time it is provided to the inspector, is identified by the department as information the disclosure of which may, in the opinion of the relevant authority—

(i) cause damage to national security, international relations or the economic interests of the United Kingdom or any part of the United Kingdom, or

(ii) jeopardise the safety of any person.

(3) Where an English inspector discloses to another person information within sub-paragraph (2) that the inspector received in exercise of the inspection function, or the fact that the inspector has received such information in exercise of the inspection function, the other person must not disclose that information or that fact unless the relevant authority consents to the disclosure.

(4) A prohibition on disclosure in sub-paragraph (1) or (3) does not apply to disclosure by one English inspector to another.

(5) In this paragraph—

“English inspector” includes—a person appointed under section 28(A5) as an assistant inspector or other officer;a person authorised by an English inspector to act on behalf of the inspector for the purposes of paragraph 6 or 7;

“government department” means a department of Her Majesty’s Government but does not include—the Security Service,the Secret Intelligence Service, orthe Government Communications Headquarters (“GCHQ”);

“intelligence service information” means information that was obtained (directly or indirectly) from or that relates to—the Security Service,the Secret Intelligence Service, GCHQ, orany part of Her Majesty’s forces, or of the Ministry of Defence, which engages in intelligence activities;

“Minister of the Crown” includes the Treasury;

“relevant authority” means—in the case of intelligence service information obtained (directly or indirectly) from or relating to the Security Service, the Director-General of the Security Service;in the case of intelligence service information obtained (directly or indirectly) from or relating to the Secret Intelligence Service, the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service;in the case of intelligence service information obtained (directly or indirectly) from or relating to GCHQ, the Director of GCHQ;in the case of intelligence service information obtained (directly or indirectly) from or relating to Her Majesty’s forces or the Ministry of Defence, the Secretary of State;in the case of information within sub-paragraph (2)(b)—the Secretary of State, orthe Minister of the Crown in charge of the government department from which the information was obtained (if that Minister is not a Secretary of State).

Short title

10

(1) A person who provides information that is intelligence service information to an English inspector exercising the inspection function must—

(a) make the inspector aware that the information is intelligence service information, and

(b) provide the inspector with such additional information as will enable the inspector to identify the relevant authority in relation to the information.

(2) In this paragraph, “English inspector”, “intelligence service information” and “relevant authority” have the same meaning as in paragraph 9.

Changes to existing fire and rescue authorities

Boundaries of power under section 5A

Power to make provision supplemental to section 5A

Procedure for Secretary of State's orders under section 5C(1) and (2)

Negative resolution procedure for draft laid under section 5F(2)

Affirmative resolution procedure for draft laid under section 5F(2)

Interpretation of Part 1

Limits on charging under section 18A(1)

Meaning of “emergency”

Provision of intelligence service information to English inspectors

21A

(1) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations—

(a) require a fire and rescue authority for an area in Wales to make a plan in relation to the exercise of the authority's functions;

(b) impose requirements relating to such a plan.

(2) The requirements which may be imposed under subsection (1)(b) include requirements about—

(a) a plan's content;

(b) its preparation and revision;

(d) the period to which it is to relate;

(e) its publication.

(3) Requirements about a plan's content include requirements to—

(a) set out an authority's priorities and objectives;

(b) describe and explain the extent to which the plan reflects the Framework prepared by the Welsh Ministers under section 21;

(d) set out how the authority intends to assess its performance.

(4) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision (including imposing requirements on an authority) for the purposes of assessing or reporting on the performance of an authority.

(5) Before making regulations under subsection (1) or (4) the Welsh Ministers—

(a) must consult fire and rescue authorities for areas in Wales or persons who the Welsh Ministers consider represent those authorities;

(b) must consult persons who the Welsh Ministers consider represent employees of fire and rescue authorities for areas in Wales;

Information in connection with pensions etc

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