New management for 'old boys club' Avon Fire Authority

New managers will be brought in to run Avon Fire Authority after a damning government report criticised its culture and leadership.

It found evidence of bullying, cover-ups and financial irregularities in the fire authority - the group of councillors who manage the fire service.

The Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens, is being brought in to help run a new, smaller authority but says at the moment no one will face criminal charges.

The investigation covered a period of six years from 2011.

KEY FAILINGS:

• Failures of leadership and culture

• Poor decision making and lack of staff expertise

• Lack of scrutiny over pay rises to senior staff

• Failure to address equality issues

The Government report into Avon Fire Authority - the group of 25 councillors running the Avon fire service - was damning.

People spoken to by the inspector "considered the authority as lacking drive, and seemed largely to be 'an old boys club', with little discussion of matters of importance, and excessive concerns over minor items".

The report found there was a perception that bullying and harassment were endemic.

The inspector found that senior officers, including the chief fire officer Kevin Pearson, enjoyed pay rises of up to 8% while ordinary firefighters' pay was capped at 1%.

In response to the report, the fire authority said it would improve, but council leaders aren't convinced. They will now form a new, smaller fire authority, which will include the local Police and Crime Commissioner.

The members of the new authority will be appointed in September - and they'll have a big challenge - not just running a fire service, but restoring the trust of the people who work in it.