Chamber and committees

Thank you very much. Colin Brown, did you want to come back in quickly?

Good morning, and welcome to the 27th meeting in 2024 of the Criminal Justice Committee. I hope that everybody had an enjoyable break over summer. We have received no apologies this morning.

First, do members agree to take item 3 of today’s business in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Our focus today is on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the current challenges that it faces and the work that is being done as part of the consultation on the future of the service in Scotland. This scrutiny session is a precursor to future work that we will undertake as part of our pre-budget scrutiny later in the year.

I am conscious that today’s session focusing on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is taking place on the same day as the publication of the inquiry report into the tragic fire at Grenfell tower. I am sure that the whole committee will join me in remembering all those who lost their lives in the fire, as well as their families. I pay tribute to the bravery of all the firefighters and other emergency service workers who attended the scene, as well as to all those who have supported the local community since 2017.

I intend to allow about 75 minutes for this session. Our first panel consists of representatives of trade unions. I am very pleased to give a warm welcome to Colin Brown, executive council member for Scotland of the Fire Brigades Union, and, from the Fire and Rescue Services Association, David Crawford, Scottish official, and Tim Kirk, Inverness and north regional representative. Thank you for your written submissions.

As usual, I will start with a general question to set the scene. What do you see as the main challenges that currently face the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service? What are the main things that need to be done to address those challenges?

Rona Mackay has a very quick supplementary question on that.

Thank you very much indeed. The session has been insightful and informative, and it has given us a lot to think about. Thank you again for your time this morning. We will have a short suspension to allow for a changeover of witnesses.

Our second panel consists of senior representatives of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. I am very pleased to welcome back Ross Haggart, chief officer; Stuart Stevens, deputy chief officer; and Sarah O’Donnell, director of finance and contractual services.

I intend to allow around 75 minutes for this session. As ever, I will start with a general question to open up the discussion. I will bring in Ross Haggart to begin with, and then Stuart Stevens and Sarah O’Donnell. What do you see as the main challenges that are facing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and what actions and reforms are you planning to undertake to address them?

Thank you. Without further ado, I will bring in Sarah O’Donnell and then Stuart Stevens.

I know that that is a rolling piece of work, but are there timescales for its completion?

It will need to be very quick.

I will come back to you.