South Wales Fire Authority is set to start an independent review of the working culture and disciplinary procedures at South Wales Fire & Rescue Service.
It follows an investigation by ITV Wales in December 2022 which revealed that staff had retained their jobs despite accusations of sexual harassment.
Next week, the Fire Authority will be asked to appoint an independent appointments board that will shortlist and select a Chair (pdf – item 6.1) and finalise the terms of reference for the review.
The board includes the Chair of the Fire Authority, Cllr. Steve Bradwick; the Chief Fire Officer, Huw Jakeway; independent domestic abuse advisor, Rachel Williams; Chief Executive of Race Equality First, Aliya Mohammed and the Leader of Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr. Lis Burnett.
The draft terms of reference – which will need to be finalised by the board – include reviewing:
- Disciplinary and complaints procedures relating to bullying, harassment, whistleblowing and dignity at work.
- How relevant complaints and disciplinary matters were dealt with over the previous five years.
- Whether the fire service has appropriate preventative measures in place.
- The effectiveness of training and development programmes relating to bullying, harassment and dignity at work.
- How individual and group behaviour impacts professional standards in the fire service.
- Areas of good practice.
The review is expected to cost the fire service £340,000 – which will come from reserves – with an aim to complete the work by the end of 2023.
It follows ongoing recriminations and reviews into sexism and workplace culture at Welsh police forces and the Welsh Rugby Union.
