‘CFOA –Fit for Purpose?’ FIFTH HORIZON SCANNING DEBATE ‘CFOA –Fit for Purpose?’ Roy Wilsher Members’ Sounding Board Following Board Discussion and presentation by Steve McQuirk to Sounding Board Launched at Spring Conference and AGM Good Response and Desire to go from strength to strength Thanks to Kathryn Foreman

Live Debate at the AGM CFOA Wants – A Clear Role in Policy Formation Influence with Stakeholders A Business Focus Pro-active in Wider Public Sector Reform However – Capacity Deficit? CLG says – Don’t be too Critical – Doing a Good Job Clear CFOA making a Contribution and influence could be even greater

Effective Business Planning and Performance Management Not Sufficiently Robust Can be Ad Hoc Rather Than Planned Not Sufficient Regard to Risk Management Suggested Improvements Targets set by Board, agreed at AGM Three Year Targets Board also a Scrutiny Body Third Party Scrutiny Important Performance Management – Chief Executive Impact on aspiration for clear role in Policy Makes progressing 4 Strategic objectives difficult – Influence direction FRS Professional Advice – contribute to Policy Inform Key decision makers Support members 1 region said too much focus on policy Any PM non threateninh 3 year targets 3rd party scrutiny – re-examine legal impediments to non executive director Performance management in Annual Report

CFOA Board – Election/Appointment Wide Ranging Responses All Board Members Elected Possible pre-selection President also Elected CFO or someone approaching retirement Maximum 3 year term Some sensitivity – some felt senior officers already demonstrated credentials - others desire for professional competence to be demonstrated for specific Director role Possible pre-selection – leadership and management qualities More robust performance management Appointment could be less transparent, more costly and deter volunteers 3 year president – problems re-entry to Service

President – A Full-Time Role? Most Responses Linked to CEO and HQ Support President & Senior Officer Dual Role not Sustainable Full-Time – CEO Salary or Levy Fire Authorities But – Effect on Presidential Team ‘President’ – Appropriate and Title Retained Reality on difficulty of releasing officer 1 response though Authorities might try to off-load senior executives Strength of Team and Development of VPs

The Chief Executive Role Not Well Understood Required or Just Back Office Support? Is Needed But Not Fully Developed Yet Preference – Presidential Team and Board with Increased Support Staff & Corporate Support Manager CFOA HQ – Possible PA to President – Support or Delivery Seen as custodian of back office – planning & PM Corporate support manager Some confusion over HQ role – support or lend capacity to deliver workstreams

Directors and Delivery of Portfolios Overwhelming Praise But – Capacity for Strategic Development and Delivery of Work Increased Capacity Suggestions: Formal Regional Structure – Expanded Membership Smaller Portfolios/More Directors Assistant Directors Task & Finish Groups/Secondments ‘Farm Out’ Work Rather Than Roles Recruit Retired Staff to Assist Consistent Approach between Directors Portfolios – Structure – Status Quo or Change Portfolios 0 views split between status quo and change Some felt strategic objectives met and the portfolios covered – quality service delivery, quality people and quality organisation Others thought dull and unimaginative – more emphasis on place shaping & equality and diversity HR Director or VP should be adviser to National Employers, others said closer working with LGA the key.

CFOA & CLG Some Strident Comments – Comfort and Closeness Parent and Child CFOA as an Arm of the State Not Universal – Recognised Tensions and Influence CFOA to Represent and Support Brigades Some forthright comments Clear blue sky between CFOA and APFO

CONCLUSIONS CFOA needs to be Responsive to Change No Requirement for Fundamental Review Balance Between Consulting Members and Board Leading Release Capacity – Sounding Board, Regions, Task & Finish Need for Increased Influence Recognised – but Caution Next year Critical – CFRAU, CLG, Centre of Excellence President is Key – Leader of CFOA Credibility Through Election – possible pre-selection BUSINESS PLANNING & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT CPA, demise HMFSI, National Adviser and Unit, Centre of Excellence, expansion CFOA membership No dramatic review – a refresh.