Best value inspection launched at fire authority with specific focus on governance

In a letter appointing lead inspector Fenella Morris KC of 39 Essex Chambers, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the inspection should consider all relevant governance concerns from Autumn 2022 and whether a "culture of fear" did or did not exist at the organisation.

The letter, which was sent on 8 July and made public on Tuesday (15 July), added that the investigation should also include whistleblowing, grievance and disciplinary processes in place at the authority and their use.

On internal culture, the letter asked inspectors to investigate: "Any decisions taken by the authority to ensure that a culture of fear – with particular respect to escalating with challenge – does not exist, and, where found to exist, the decisions taken by the authority to address it.

"This should include assurances regarding the whistleblowing, grievance and disciplinary processes in place at the Authority and their use."

In a written ministerial statement, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth, Alex Norris, said: "Whilst the Service continues to protect and respond to the needs of its local community, there is concern that the Authority, in its oversight and scrutiny of the service, may have failed to deliver against its key Best Value Functions of economy, efficiency and effectiveness."

The list of issues the Government has tasked the team to consider includes the authority's employment decisions, including but not limited to its recruitment and promotion process, including due diligence processes for shortlisted candidates.

The team has also been asked to consider procurement activities, how the authority assesses complaints made about members of the authority, including senior officers, and its processes for taking action against members or officers who may have been found not to have met the standards required of that member or officer.

Fenella Morris KC will be assisted by Anna Bicarregui and Gethin Thomas as Assistant Inspectors and Tasnim Shawkat as Assistant Inspector (Monitoring Officer). 

The inspection is set to deliver its recommendations during the first quarter of 2026.

The inspection team is seeking representations from current and former serving members since November 2022 of the West Midlands Fire Authority and West Midlands Fire Service, and from other interested parties.

Adam Carey