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Carys Evans,
Secretary to the Commission on the Powers and
Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for
Wales
8 May 2003
Caradog House,
1-6 St. Andrews Place,
CARDIFF
CF10 3BE
01824 706128
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Annwyl Carys,
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Powers of the National Assembly for Wales
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| The Executive Panel of the North Wales Fire Authority
considered the question of further delegation of powers
to the National Assembly at its meeting on 28 April. |
| The Authority wishes to note the effective relationship
that has been developed with the National Assembly since
1999. Joint work with the 3 Welsh Fire Authorities has
led to the important initiative 'Wired for Safety' and
'Up in Flames' and the establishment of the Wales Community
Fire Safety Trust. |
| The Authority welcomes these positive developments and
will continue to co-operate with the Assembly in pursuing
initiatives to reduce the risk of fire in our communities. |
| In its response to the policy document "Freedom and
Responsibility", North Wales Fire Authority noted that
the current working relationship with the Assembly was
both productive and effective even though there was no
formal policy responsibility. Such matters as pay and
conditions, professional and research advice etc., would,
remain within the UK Government's framework, under the
suggestions made in "Freedom and Responsibility's There
has been no clarity in the debate on possible transfer
of policy responsibility for the fire service about which
powers would be transferred. In the absence of a clear
direction on what devolution of policy responsibility
would mean, the North Wales Fire Authority is cautious
about the possibility and wishes to see further detail
before it expresses a firm view. A concern for North Wales
Fire Authority is that further devolution to the Assembly
could see the merging of the three fire authorities in
Wales. under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1947.
The authority does not see this power, if placed with
the Assembly, as being in the interests of service delivery
to the population of North Wales. North Wales Fire Authority
would seek as an essential condition for the future devolution
of policy responsibility that the power to merge would
either be repealed or not be transferred to the Assembly. |
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| Nevertheless, the Fire Authority supported a power for
the Assembly to determine if and when Welsh fire services
should become precepting authorities at some point in
the future; and the proposal for the transfer of responsibility
for capital funding from what was then the DTLR to the
Assembly as a logical step in streamlining accountability
with a simpler financial system. These powers are conferred
on the Assembly by the Local Government Bill. |
| The Authority believes that responsibility for best
value in respect of fire authorities in Wales should be
transferred to the National Assembly. The Wales Programme
for Improvement is seen as a superior approach to the
implementation of best value compared to the comprehensive
performance assessment model which is being followed for
Councils in England and may also be applied to fire and
police authorities in Wales. The principal reason for
suggesting this transfer of executive responsibility is
that it would be simpler for the Audit Commission and
the wider local government family in Wales if there was
a common regime in respect of best value in Wales. The
present arrangements result in some duplication of effort
especially for the regulator. |
| The Fire Authority wishes to record that, whatever power
s are held by the National Assembly with respect to the
fire service, it is essential for the membership of the
3 Fire Authorities to be made up of elected members appointed
by the county and county borough councils. |
| Finally, the Fire Authority does not believe that it
would be appropriate at the present time for the Assembly
to assume powers of primary legislation either in respect
of the fire service or more generally. |
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Ian Miller
Clerc/Clerk |
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