Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a new oversight board at the West Midlands Fire Service on the quality of service provided.

I am responding as the Minister now with responsibility for Fire. It is the government’s priority to drive meaningful culture change across the fire and rescue sector.  Our fire professionals work under significant pressure and in challenging circumstances, so it is important that the Fire and Rescue Authorities and the Fire and Rescue Services create a culture where every member of the team can thrive.

The West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority have established, through working with the Local Government Association, the corporate governance improvement board. The board provides challenge and support to the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority and works to identify potential areas of improvement.

I am supportive of the board’s work and my officials remain in regular contact with the Local Government Association to keep abreast of its ongoing work.

To further support the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, in December 2024, the Home Secretary decided to commission a ‘Best Value Inspection’ of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority to ascertain whether the authority is meeting its Best Value obligations, particularly regarding governance. We will ensure partners are kept updated on the development of this Best Value Inspection.