Troubled fire authority launches improvement board

A fire authority beset with controversy over the past year is to establish a board to improve how it governs the fire service it oversees.

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority (WMFRA) said the decision underpinned its commitment to "strong and effective" governance of West Midlands Fire Service.

In October, Conervative MP for the West Midlands constituency of Aldridge-Brownhills called for an inquiry into the fire authority, citing "deep rooted and troubling problems".

It came just weeks after the interim chief executive of the fire service and the chairman of the fire authority both resigned following a dispute over fire authority governance.

The former, Oliver Lee, had publicly alleged WMFRA's governance lacked "courage, transparency, care and honesty".

He was appointed to the role following the death of the fire service's previous chief, Wayne Brown, in January 2024.

Mr Brown's death came shortly after the fire service confirmed he was being investigated for claims made on social media about his qualifications for the role.

Ben Brook was appointed in the wake of Mr Lee's departure but resigned just four days after taking the job.

The role has since been undertaken by Simon Tuhill, the ex-deputy fire chief for Northamptonshire, who pledged to bring stability to the service.

The newly announced corporate governance improvement board is to be created with support from the Local Government Association, and is subject to approval at the next full meeting of the fire authority on 17 February.

The plan is for the board to be independently chaired and include a mix of elected WMFRA members and external experts in governance, finance, and fire and rescue leadership.

The body is designed to "provide oversight, challenge, and support to the authority as it considers any improvements identified following ongoing inspections and reviews", WMFRA said.

An inspection was commissioned by the Home Office in December.

Councillor Cathy Bayton, chair of the fire authority, said: "At the heart of West Midlands Fire Service are the dedicated firefighters, control room staff and support teams who serve our communities with professionalism and dedication every day. We are determined that their vital work is complemented by effective leadership and governance.

"The board will bring valuable external scrutiny and expertise, helping us to develop and strengthen our approach where necessary. We hope our communities take reassurance from this positive step."

Councillor Wendy Maples, chair of the Local Government Association Fire Services Management Committee, said good governance was essential to good service provision, and that the fire authority was serious about addressing previous governance challenges positively.

The authority says the board will begin its work in spring, meeting regularly to oversee progress.

Its findings will be reported quarterly at public authority meetings.

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