Issue - meetings

1. That the Council entering into a Collaboration Agreement with West Midlands Fire Service be approved, whereby:

a. The overall day to day management and delivery of City of Wolverhampton Council’s emergency planning and business continuity management service is delegated to the West Midlands Fire Service;

b. The City of Wolverhampton Council remains the principal authority as regards its statutory obligations for civil contingencies;

c. The Council Cabinet portfolio holders retain overall responsibility for the strategic direction, budget setting and performance monitoring of the civil protection and emergency management service;

d. The Council’s Resilience Board oversees WMFS delivery of the service.

2. That the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) of City of Wolverhampton Council employees to West Midlands Fire Service be approved.

3. That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Managing Director and Director of Public Health, to proceed with the implementation of the proposal.

In the absence of Councillor Paul Sweet, Councillor Roger Lawrence presented the report on the Delivery of Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Management. The report outlined the proposal to transfer the day to day management and delivery of emergency planning and business continuity management services to the West Midlands Fire Service, whilst retaining political ownership. The transfer would achieve a more resilient, co-ordinated and effective service through a Collaboration Agreement.

Resolved:

1. That the Council entering into a Collaboration Agreement with West Midlands Fire Service be approved, whereby:

a. The overall day to day management and delivery of City of Wolverhampton Council’s emergency planning and business continuity management service was delegated to the West Midlands Fire Service;

b. The City of Wolverhampton Council remains the principal authority as regards its statutory obligations for civil contingencies;

c. The Council Cabinet portfolio holders retain overall responsibility for the strategic direction, budget setting and performance monitoring of the civil protection and emergency management service;

d. The Council’s Resilience Board oversees WMFS delivery of the service.

2. That the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) of City of Wolverhampton Council employees to West Midlands Fire Service be approved.

3. That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Managing Director and Director of Public Health, to proceed with the implementation of the proposal.