1. ‘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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.