Service makes progress but remains under supervision

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has been under special supervision since November

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service remains under special supervision following its latest inspection.

The service has been under an enhanced level of monitoring since November 2023.

Although a follow-up inspection has found that it has made "significant steps" forward, it remains one of three fire services in England under enhanced monitoring by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.

A further inspection of the service – which covers Milton Keynes as well as Buckinghamshire – is expected soon.

The most recent inspection was in May, with the findings published on Tuesday.

Inspectors found the service had made improvements in the areas of concern that had previously been flagged.

The service had "appropriate and robust governance arrangements in place to monitor progress" of its action plan and the plan "covered all the causes of concerns" the inspectorate had.

Louise Harrison was appointed chief fire officer weeks after the service was put under special supervision

Those concerns were around fire prevention, protection, and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Inspectors said the authority had introduced better training for staff and fire safety audits for high-risk buildings, and a recruitment campaign had helped the authority increase the number of applications from women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Inspector Roy Wilsher said: "We were pleased to see the significant steps the service has taken in response to the causes of concern we issued."

But he added: "Despite good progress being made, there is still more work to do. While the action plan is comprehensive, we can’t yet determine how effective the plan will be in making sure it provides a better service to the public."

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has been approached for comment.