The Combined Fire Authority for County Durham and Darlington met on Thursday 30 July 2026 to discuss a range of operational and administrative matters. Key topics included updates on pay awards for different staff groups, the appointment of committee chairs and members, and the establishment of Member Champion roles and a Member Buddy System. The meeting also considered reports on current correspondence and the proposed development of a new gas hot fire training facility.

Update on Pay Awards

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on pay awards for various staff groups within the fire and rescue service. For Grey Book staff, covering firefighters and control personnel, a pay award of 3.8% was agreed nationally, effective from 1 July 2026, following a ballot of Fire Brigades Union members. Discussions regarding wider pay reform to better recognise skills and career progression are ongoing. For Green Book staff, representing corporate employees, the pay claim for 2026 remained unresolved, with trade unions having rejected the employers' offer and ongoing ballots taking place. Senior leadership team members (Gold Book staff) were set to receive a 3.8% pay increase, also effective from 1 July 2026, aligning with the Grey Book settlement. The report noted that the approved revenue budget for 2026/27 included provision for pay inflation of 3.5%, with the additional 0.3% for the agreed awards to be met from contingencies.

Appointment of Chairs and Committees

A report was scheduled to outline the committee membership for the Combined Fire Authority for the 2026/27 period. The political balance of these committees is determined in consultation with Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council, with a requirement for each committee to include at least one member from both Darlington and Durham. The meeting was to consider appointing chairs for several committees, including the Appeals Committee, Audit, Finance and Governance Committee, Pension Board, and Performance Committee. Additionally, the Chair of the Authority was to be appointed as Chair to the Appointments Panel, Salary Review Group, and Joint Consultative Committee, in accordance with the Authority's constitution. The report also sought agreement for the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Authority and relevant Group Leaders, to be authorised to make any necessary changes to committee memberships during the year.

Member Champion Roles

The meeting was to receive details of the appointed Member Champion roles for 2026/27. These roles are designed to foster closer working relationships between Authority Members and specific areas of the Service's work, aiming to develop services and engage with local communities, staff, and stakeholders. The report was expected to list the Member Champions for areas such as Community Risk Management, People and Organisational Development, Emergency Response, and Corporate Resources, along with their designated officer contacts.

Member Buddy System and Affiliation with Fire Stations

A report was scheduled to confirm the Service Leadership Team (SLT) contacts for the Member 'Buddy' arrangements and the fire station affiliation list. This system aims to strengthen partnerships between Members, local fire stations, and staff, thereby improving communication, understanding of roles, and opportunities for collaborative working. Members are encouraged to visit their affiliated stations, with arrangements to be made in advance to ensure crews are available. The 'Member Buddies' are SLT members who will provide information and support to Members on various policy and organisational issues, helping to develop their understanding of the fire and rescue service.

Current Correspondence

The Director of Emergency Response was scheduled to present a report on current correspondence received from government and other bodies relevant to the Authority between March and June 2026. This would provide an overview of external communications impacting the Authority's work.

Proposal for a New Gas Hot Fire Training Facility

The Authority was to consider a report proposing the development of a new gas-powered hot fire training facility at the Service Training Centre. The report sought approval for the capital investment required for this project and for necessary amendments to the medium-term financial plan. The report noted discussions regarding the continued use of the existing Hydra Minerva training facility and the maintenance arrangements for the new facility. The strategic benefits of the proposal, including improvements to staff welfare, contamination reduction, and training capacity, were also to be highlighted.

Other Business

The agenda also included provisions for Such other business as, in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting, is of sufficient urgent to warrant consideration, allowing for the discussion of any urgent matters not otherwise listed.

The meeting was also scheduled to consider items where the public would be excluded, relating to exempt or confidential information.