THE Welsh government took action today to replace the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service Authority with four external commissioners.
Deputy Minister for Social Partnership Hannah Blythyn told the Senedd she had little confidence that the fire authority could deal with the service’s culture of misogyny and wider failings in management and leadership.
Fenella Morris KC published a damning report on the culture and values of the service on January 3.
It exposed widespread discriminatory and abusive behaviour at all levels and serious underlying failures of leadership and management.
“Basic standards of good governance and management had failed, creating a toxic workplace culture in which discrimination, abuse and other misconduct went unchecked,” Ms Blythyn said.
The minister said she had reflected on the options available to her, considered the fire & rescue authority’s (FRA) formal response to the report and had further exchanges with the chairman.
“I am pleased the FRA’s response formally accepts the report’s recommendations in full, but I have seen little that adequately addresses the wider concerns I set out previously,” she said.
“One of the most saddening themes in the staff testimony collated in the report is a widespread belief that nothing would ever change.”
Ms Blythyn said she would not allow that to happen.
The minister had not consulted the fire service unions before her statement but said she would be meeting them soon and would write to the workforce.
She told the Senedd that she was issuing a direction to the authority tomorrow requiring all of its functions to be exercised by the four commissioners.
She said: “Those commissioners will be charged with ensuring the full and sustainable implementation of the review’s recommendations, as well as acting on the recommendations of our chief adviser.
“They will have full powers to restructure and reform service management and instil a positive, non-discriminatory culture, and they will remain until the work is finished, and until South Wales Fire & Rescue Service is demonstrably an inclusive and welcoming workplace for all.”
The four commissioners appointed are former leader of Newport City Council Baroness Wilcox, former Liberal Democrat Senedd member Kirsty Williams, former chief fire officer for the West Midlands Vij Randeniya and former North Wales Police chief constable Carl Foulkes.
Cerith Griffiths, Fire Brigades Union executive council member for Wales said: “The review into South Wales Fire and Rescue Service revealed serious issues of misogyny, racism, homophobia, and harassment, and uncovered a litany of failures by fire service leaders.
“The Fire Authority and fire service managers must face up to the damning indictment of this report. It is no wonder that firefighters have lost confidence in those at the top of the service.
“We need decisive action. All firefighters must be able to go to work without the threat of bullying, abuse or mistreatment. As the only democratic and representative body for firefighters and control room staff, the Fire Brigades Union will take a leading role in the fight for equality.”
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said: “Discrimination, harassment and bullying have no place in the fire and rescue service.
“The public and the workforce must be able to have confidence in fire service leaders, with ongoing scrutiny and transparency. We need democratic accountability for our service, and it is therefore concerning that this matter will be left in the hands of unelected commissioners.
“Today’s statement highlights a range of issues which are unconnected with the original report. These require a separate discussion and should not be conflated with issues of equality.
“We urge government ministers and fire service leaders to ensure that firefighters and their union are involved in the next steps of this process.”
