Diolch. Amendment 142 removes section 164, 'Combined fire and rescue authorities: inquiries'. Section 164 of the Bill covers inquiries into finance and governance arrangements for fire and rescue authorities. These are established by combination Orders under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004. Section 164 amends the 2004 Act to remove the requirement for Welsh Ministers to hold an inquiry when varying an authority's combination Order, except where the variation alters the area served by a fire and rescue authority, or would revoke the combination Order with a view to creating a wholly different configuration of fire and rescue authorities in Wales.

However, the Equalities, Local Government and Communities Committee heard unanimous evidence from the Welsh fire and rescue authorities and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service regarding this provision. South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority noted its grave concerns, explaining that the provision was put in place for a reason, which was to ensure that due regard was given to the safety of firefighters or the community before changes were implemented that could detrimentally impact on these. South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority emphasised that this change is an extremely concerning step, as it could result in unsuitable or ill-thought-through changes being made to some of the key areas noted without sufficient inquiry, debate, scrutiny or challenge. 

North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority also strongly voiced its concerns, noting that the notion that changing, for example, governance or funding arrangements of fire and rescue authorities that are currently being considered would have no direct impact on public or firefighter safety is flawed. It would suggest, they said, that placing convenience over the protections afforded by the need to hold an inquiry in Wales would seem a retrograde step, not without some risk to public and firefighter safety. And Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority stated that there are clear flaws in the proposals and that such inquiries enhance and facilitate good decision making, adding that, if proposals are impractical or ill thought out or unreasonable, an inquiry would act as an open and efficient brake or filter on any such proposals and is consequently very much in the public interest.

Thus, as the committee's Stage 1 report stated, south Wales and mid and west Wales fire and rescue authorities were clear in requesting that the provision in section 164 be removed from the Bill. During Stage 2, the Minister argued that removing this additional and unnecessary requirement will simplify an overcomplicated and expansive process. However, such a statement does not respond to the concerns of the fire and rescue services and authorities that have spoken out with knowledge and authority against the Welsh Government's current intentions with regard to public inquiries. This is not simplification; this is removing checks and balances within the system, and that is a highly dangerous step to take.