|
[18 May 2007]
Independent Audit Assessment Results.
The latest Independent Audit provided the Fire Authority with its ´Direction of Travel´ score which judges how well the Fire Authority is modernising and improving its performance across a range of different measures. The performance evaluation ranked East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service as ´improving well.´ The areas that were assessed included the prevention of fire, community education projects, working in partnership with charities and other agencies as well as addressing equality and diversity issues.
Councillor Mike Murphy, Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority has openly welcomed the findings of the latest independent Audit Commission report. On behalf of all Members of the Fire Authority he said, “I am extremely pleased that the Audit Commission, who assess all Fire and Rescue Services in England have confirmed that East Sussex is performing well in every assessment it has made in 2006. These include,
- Operational Assurance - how well we provide services to local people;
- Use of Resources - how cost effective we are for our local council taxpayers; and now
- Direction of Travel - how well we are improving against the ever-harder national performance targets.
To receive a score of ´improving well´ across all three categories is a well deserved testament to the continued efforts of all East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service personnel who work tirelessly to improve services to local communities.”
The Commission recognised that partnership working is increasing capacity and delivering improvement. The results also show that 73 per cent of performance indicators had shown an improvement over the last 18 months. The direction of travel assessments scores range from 4 (improving strongly), 3 (improving well), 2 (improving adequately) and 1 (not improving adequately or not improving).
Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive, Des Prichard, said, “We are very pleased with the results which accurately reflect the improvement the Service has made within recent times. It is a richly-deserved reward for our staff, whose professionalism and dedication continue to help achieve a safer community for the residents of East Sussex and the City of Brighton & Hove.”
Cllr Mike Murphy, Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, added: “We strive to provide a first class service to our communities, at a price they are willing to pay, and these results confirm that we are heading in the right direction.”
For further information please contact Liz Foster, Head of Strategic Development on 0845 130 8855.
[Allison Gilson]
| 
