Our governance structure has been carefully considered to ensure that all internal decision-making boards, groups, or regular meetings have clear terms of reference which are regularly reviewed and include agreed levels of delegated authority to enable effective decision making.

Meetings such as Operational Effectiveness Board and the Workforce Planning Board directly address some of the key areas of improvement which have been identified through our organisational review. Whilst the Service Delivery Performance Group reports and tracks performance against our performance measures, informing the Strategic Leadership Board, the Strategic Oversight Board and ultimately our communities through the Deputy Mayor’s Online Public Meeting.

The Fire Change Board (NYFRS) and Collaboration Steering Board (NYFRS and North Yorkshire Police, NYP) ensure that progress against project or programme plans are monitored, scrutinised, and challenged to ensure that objectives are being achieved within agreed timescales and budgets, and, if necessary, pausing work.

We engage with key stakeholders through the Independent Audit Committee which provides independent scrutiny on the adequacy of the corporate governance and risk management arrangements in place and the Joint Negotiating Consultative Committee (JNCC) which affords the opportunity to meet with employee representatives.

The Appropriate Authorities Meeting is a joint meeting between NYFRS and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority where we review compliments, complaints, and misconduct cases.

The Chief Fire Officer (CFO) also voluntarily attends the Police, Fire and Crime Panel which maintains a regular check and balance on the performance of the Mayor/ Deputy Mayor in respect of their policing, fire and crime responsibilities.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS)
carry out inspections of the 44 Fire and Rescue Services in England. They assess each service on its effectiveness, efficiency and how it looks after its people. Our Service’s latest report can be found on the HMICFRS website Effectiveness, efficiency and people 2023–2025: North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service – His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services