Member

To answer the comments from the noble Baroness, Lady Pinnock, it does not weaken oversight of fire and rescue services. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services will continue to inspect operational performance, efficiency and effectiveness. Strategic decisions such as budgets and appointments are matters for elected mayors and remain subject to that democratic accountability and the statutory checks. There are no new powers or changes in how inspections work. It is a technical amendment to align inspection frameworks across governance models and reflects existing practice for other fire and rescue authorities. It ensures clarity for His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.