Citation, commencement and application

1.-(1) This Order may be cited as the Fire and Rescue Authorities (National Framework) (England) Order 2018 and comes into force on 1st June 2018.

(2) This Order applies in relation to fire and rescue authorities in England only.

The Fire and Rescue National Framework

2.-(1) The Fire and Rescue National Framework prepared by the Secretary of State entitled "The Fire and Rescue National Framework for England" which was published by the Home Department on 8 May 2018 has effect.

(2) The Fire and Rescue National Framework for England has effect as a revision, which appears to the Secretary of State to be significant, of the Fire and Rescue National Framework for England which was published by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 11th July 2012(2).

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

Section 21 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 requires the Secretary of State to prepare a Fire and Rescue National Framework for fire and rescue authorities. Fire and rescue authorities must have regard to the Framework in carrying out their functions. This Order applies to fire and rescue authorities in England only.

Article 2 of this Order brings into effect the Fire and Rescue National Framework for England, which substitutes the Fire and Rescue National Framework for England that was brought into effect by the Fire and Rescue Authorities (National Framework) (England) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1886).

The principal differences are that the Framework:

(1) reflects recent legislative changes to allow mayors and police and crime commissioners to exercise the functions of a fire and rescue authority;

(2) establishes how fire and rescue authorities should work with the National Fire Chiefs Council and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services;

(3) supports the development of professional standards by requiring fire and rescue authorities to implement those standards;

(4) encourages commercial transformation by fire and rescue authorities;

(5) includes a workforce section which outlines how fire and rescue authorities should support and develop their workforce.

Copies of the framework may be obtained on the Home Office website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-and-rescue-national-framework-for-england.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.