South Wales Fire Service: Welsh government announces intervention after damning report

February 06, 2024

The Welsh government has announced its intervention in a fire service after a damning report.

The damning report published last month found men in the service had sent "inappropriate messages" to female colleagues.

After the report was published, the chief fire officer announced his intention to retire.

Announcing he would step aside, Huw Jakeway said he was "profoundly sorry" to colleagues who had "negative experiences".

The review into the service's culture was led by Fenella Morris KC and made more than 80 recommendations, including a campaign "to make it clear that sexual harassment of female members of staff... is unacceptable".

The Welsh government announced on Tuesday it had taken all powers away from the fire authority, which has been replaced by four government-appointed commissioners.

Former leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and education minister Kirsty Williams has been appointed one of the four commissioners.

She is joined by former leader of Newport City Council Baroness Wilcox, former chief constable of North Wales Police Carl Foulkes, and West Midlands Fire Service's former chief fire officer Vij Randeniya.

They will remain in post until the work of implementing the recommendations is finished.

The Welsh government has not specified a timeframe for when that will be.

Speaking in the Senedd, deputy minister for social partnership Hannah Blythyn said she had no confidence the service could oversee its own recovery as it stands.

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The minister said there was a "risk these failures could affect service delivery and put lives at risk".

"I have little if any confidence about the likelihood of South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority restoring an acceptable standard of management, or of its addressing the wider risks to service delivery and firefighter and public safety," she added.

"I believe that creates a compelling case for Welsh government intervention, in the interests of securing a swift and sustainable recovery."

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