Provision of fire services
1 Provision of fire services.
1
It shall be the duty of every fire authority in Great Britain to make provision for fire-fighting purposes, and in particular every fire authority shall secure—
a
the services for their area of such a fire brigade and such equipment as may be necessary to meet efficiently all normal requirements;
b
the efficient training of the members of the fire brigade;
c
efficient arrangements for dealing with calls for the assistance of the fire brigade in case of fire and for summoning members of the fire brigade;
d
efficient arrangements for obtaining, by inspection or otherwise, information required for fire-fighting purposes with respect to the character of the buildings and other property in the area of the fire authority, the available water supplies and the means of access thereto, and other material local circumstances;
e
efficient arrangements for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to prevent or mitigate damage to property resulting from measures taken in dealing with fires in the area of the fire authority;
f
efficient arrangements for the giving, when requested, of advice in respect of buildings and other property in the area of the fire authority as to fire prevention, restricting the spread of fires, and means of escape in case of fire.
2
For the purposes of such arrangements as are mentioned in paragraph (d) of the last foregoing subsection, any member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act shall, if authorised in writing by the authority maintaining the brigade, have the like powers of entering premises as are conferred upon authorised officers of councils by section two hundred and eighty-seven of the M1Public Health Act 1936; and accordingly that Act shall have effect as if the references in that section to an authorised officer of a council included references to a member of a fire brigade authorised as aforesaid, and as if among the purposes specified in subsection (1) of that section there were included the purposes of carrying out such arrangements as aforesaid.
F13
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2 Arrangements for mutual assistance.
1
It shall be the duty of fire authorities, so far as practicable, to join in the making of schemes (hereafter in this section referred to as “reinforcement schemes”) for securing the rendering of mutual assistance for the purpose of dealing with fires occurring in the areas of authorities participating in a reinforcement scheme where either—
a
it is necessary to supplement the services provided under the last foregoing section by the authority in whose area the fire occurs, or
b
reinforcements at any fire can be more readily obtained from the resources of other authorities participating in the scheme than from those of the authority in whose area the fire occurs.
F22
Any reinforcement scheme and the variation or revocation of any reinforcement scheme shall be notified to the Secretary of State.
C1F23
Where a fire authority cannot obtain the agreement of another fire authority or other fire authorities to the making, variation or revocation of a reinforcement scheme, the Secretary of State may, at the request of the authority and after giving both or all the authorities concerned an opportunity to make representations to him, direct that such scheme or variation as may be specified in the direction shall be made by the authorities or, as the case may be, that the scheme shall be revoked.
4
A reinforcement scheme may make provision for apportioning between the fire authorities concerned, in such proportions as may be specified by or under the scheme, expenses incurred in taking measures to secure the efficient operation of the scheme.
C1F25
A direction by the Secretary of State for the making or variation of a reinforcement scheme may provide for such uniformity of equipment as appears to him to be necessary for the purpose of ensuring that the fire brigades affected will be able to render efficient assistance in pursuance of the scheme.
6
Where a reinforcement scheme has come into operation, it shall be the duty of the fire authorities to whom the scheme applies to carry it into effect.
F37
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8
A fire authority may enter into arrangements with persons (not being other fire authorities) who maintain fire brigades to secure, on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be provided by or under the arrangements, the provision by those persons of assistance for the purpose of dealing with fires occurring in the area of the authority where either—
a
it is necessary to supplement the services provided by the authority under the last foregoing section, or
b
reinforcements at any fire occurring in the area of the authority can be more readily obtained from the resources of the said persons than from the resources of the authority.
C19
The Secretary of State may, for the purposes of his functions under this section, hold such public local inquiries as he thinks fit.
E13 Supplementary powers of fire authorities.
1
The powers of a fire authority shall include power—
a
to provide accommodation for the fire brigade for their area and its equipment, including housing and other accommodation for members of the brigade and furniture reasonably required for such accommodation;
b
to pay to persons, not being members of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act, who render services for fire-fighting purposes such rewards as the authority think fit;
c
to provide and maintain fire alarms in such positions in any street or public place as they think proper, and to affix any such fire alarm to any wall or fence adjoining astreetor public place;
d
to employ the fire brigade maintained by them, or use any equipment so maintained, outside their area;
F4dd
to employ the fire brigade maintained by them, or use any equipment so maintained, at sea (whether or not within the territorial sea of the United Kingdom);
e
to employ the fire brigade maintained by them, or use any equipment so maintained, for purposes other than fire-fighting purposes for which it appears to the authority to be suitable F164(whether in their area, in another authority’s area or at sea (whether or not within the territorial sea of the United Kingdom)) and, if they think fit, to make such charge as they may determine for any services rendered in the course of such employment or use.
F52
Before exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1)(c) above in relation to a highway for which they are not the highway authority or, in Scotland, a public road for which they are not the roads authority, a fire authority shall obtain the consent of the highway or roads authority; and—
a
b
the said powers shall not be exercised except after consultation with the chief officer of police for the area in which the fire alarms are to be placed.
F7c
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F83
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4
Save as expressly provided in this Act, a fire authority shall not make any charge for services rendered by the authority.
F1654A
A fire authority in England or Wales may make a charge for a service which is rendered for fire-fighting purposes—
a
under subsection (1)(dd) above, and
b
outside the area of every fire authority in Great Britain.
C25
A fire authority may be authorised by the F9Secretary of State to purchase compulsorily any land, whether situate within or without the area of the authority, which is required by them for the purposes of their functions under this Act, and the F10Acquisition of Land Act 1981, shall apply F11. . .
F12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E23 Supplementary powers of fire authorities.
1
The powers of a fire authority shall include power—
a
to provide accommodation for the fire brigade for their area and its equipment, including housing and other accommodation for members of the brigade and furniture reasonably required for such accommodation;
b
to pay to persons, not being members of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act, who render services for fire-fighting purposes such rewards as the authority think fit;
c
d
to employ the fire brigade maintained by them, or use any equipment so maintained, outside their area;
F14dd
to employ the fire brigade maintained by them, or use any equipment so maintained, at sea (whether or not within the territorial sea of the United Kingdom);
e
to employ the fire brigade maintained by them, or use any equipment so maintained, for purposes other than fire-fighting purposes for which it appears to the authority to be suitable and, if they think fit, to make such charge as they may determine for any services rendered in the course of such employment or use.
F152
Before exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1)(c) above in relation to a highway for which they are not the highway authority or, in Scotland, a public road for which they are not the roads authority, a fire authority shall obtain the consent of the highway or the roads authority;F16and—
a
without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this subsection, the said powers shall not be exercised in a district except after consultation with the council of the district,
b
the said powers shall not be exercised except after consultation with the chief officer of police for the area in which the fire alarms are to be placed.
F17c
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F183
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4
Save as expressly provided in this Act, a fire authority shall not make any charge for services rendered by the authority.
5
A fire authority may be authorised by the F19Secretary of State to purchase compulsorily any land, whether situate within or without the area of the authority, which is required by them for the purposes of their functions under this Act, and the F20Acquisition of Land Act 1981, shall apply F21. . .
F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fire Authorities
4X1†County and county borough councils to be fire authorities.
As from the appointed day the M2Fire Brigades Act 1938, and any other enactment passed before the passing of this Act in so far as it confers on the council of a F23district functions for fire-fighting purposes, shall cease to have effect, and F24the council of every non–metropolitan county. . . F25or, in Wales, of every county or county borough shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be the fire authority for the area of the council:
Provided that nothing in this section shall affect any functions relating to fire prevention, restricting the spread of fires, or means of escape in case of fire, being functions conferred on a council otherwise than as an authority maintaining a fire brigade.
C35 Voluntary schemes for combination of fire authorities.
1
If it appears to any two or more fire authorities that it is expedient that their areas should be combined for fire-fighting purposes, they may submit to the Secretary of State a scheme in that behalf (hereafter in this Act referred to as a “combination scheme”) and the Secretary of State may by order approve any combination scheme submitted to him.
C42
Subject to the provisions of this Act, a combination scheme shall make provision with respect to the following matters, that is to say—
a
the constitution of an authority as the fire authority for the combined area and the establishment of a fire brigade therefor, the transfer to that brigade of members of fire brigades maintained by the constituent authorities and the appointment as first chief officer of the brigade established by the scheme of such person as may be specified therein;
b
the payment of the expenses of the fire authority constituted by the scheme out of a combined fire service fund constituted in accordance with the provisions of the scheme;
c
the payment into the combined fire service fund, out of the local funds of the constituent areas, of contributions assessed in accordance with the provisions of the scheme for meeting liabilities imposed on that fund by or under the scheme;
d
the transfer to the fire authority constituted by the scheme of such property, rights and liabilities of the constituent authorities (being property, rights and liabilities held or incurred in connection with the provision of fire services, as may be determined by or under the scheme, or the use by the fire authority constituted by the scheme of any such property) the appointment of officers of that fire authority F26. . . and the transfer to that authority of such officers of the constituent authorities as may be determined by or under the scheme;
e
the payment by such authority and subject to such provisions as may be provided by the scheme, of compensation to persons employed by any of the constituent authorities who in consequence of the scheme or anything done thereunder suffer direct pecuniary loss by reason of the determination of their appointments or the diminution of their emoluments;
f
in the case of persons who, having immediately before the coming into operation of the scheme been chief officers of fire brigades maintained by any of the constituent authorities, do not on the coming into operation thereof become chief officer of the fire brigade established by the scheme, for the payment in lieu of compensation under the last foregoing paragraph of emoluments, and of pensions, gratuities or allowances, of such amounts, subject to such conditions, and by such authority as may be provided by the scheme,
and may provide for any other matters incidental to or consequential on the provisions of the scheme.
C56 Power of Secretary of State to make combination schemes.
1
Subject to the provisions of this section, if it appears to the Secretary of State that it is expedient in the interests of efficiency that a combination scheme should be made for the areas of any two or more fire authorities, and no scheme satisfactory to him has been submitted to him by the fire authorities for those areas under the last foregoing section, the Secretary of State may for that purpose by order make such scheme as he considers expedient, and the provisions of subsection (2) of the last foregoing section shall apply in relation to any such scheme as they apply in relation to a scheme made under that section:
F27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Where the Secretary of State proposes to make a scheme under this section, he shall give the the fire authorities concerned notice of the general nature of the proposed scheme; and unless those authorities give him notice that they assent thereto F28or subsection (2A) of this section applies, he shall cause a public local inquiry to be held by a person appointed by him, not being an officer of a fire authority or of any Government department.
F292A
If, in a case where the authorities to whom notice of a proposed scheme has been given under subsection (2) of this section do not assent thereto—
a
it appears to the Secretary of State that the proposed scheme contains only such provision as is appropriate in consequence of an order under Part II of the Local Government Act 1992 containing provision for giving effect to a structural change (within the meaning of that Part) F163or an order under section 17 of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 containing such provision ; and
b
the period (if any) that has elapsed between the making of that order and the giving of that notice does not exceed twelve months,
the Secretary of State shall be under a duty to consider any representations made by those authorities with respect to the proposed scheme within such period as may have been specified in the notice, but shall not be required under that subsection to cause a public local inquiry to be held.
3
The Secretary of State shall lay before each House of Parliament a draft of any scheme proposed to be made by him under this section, and, where a local inquiry has been held under this section with respect thereto, shall lay together with the draft a copy of the report of the person by whom the inquiry was held; and if either House within the period of forty days beginning with the day on which the draft scheme is laid before it resolves that the scheme be not made, no further proceedings shall be taken thereon, but without prejudice to the laying before Parliament of a new draft scheme.
In reckoning any such period of forty days as aforesaid, no account shall be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.
7 Appointment of joint committees by fire authorities.
F301
2
For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that a combination scheme may be submitted and approved under section five of this Act or may be made under section six thereof notwithstanding that a joint committee under the said F31section one hundred and two has been appointed for fire service purposes for all or some of the areas in respect of which the combination scheme is submitted or made.
8 Constitution and powers of fire authorities constituted by combination schemes.
1
A fire authority constituted by a combination scheme shall consist of such representatives of each of the constituent areas as may be prescribed by the scheme, and every such authority shall be a body corporate by such name as may be prescribed by the scheme with a common seal and with power to hold land without licence in mortmain.
2
Provision may be made by a combination scheme for applying in relation to the constitution and proceedings of the fire authority thereby constituted, and in relation to the officers of that authority, any of the provisions of F32Parts V and VI and sections one hundred and eleven to one hundred and nineteen of the M4Local Government Act 1972 (which contain general provisions as to members, committees and officers of local authorities), subject to such modifications as may be prescribed by the scheme.
3
F33. . . the provisions of the F32M5Local Government Act 1972, with respect to the acquisition of land by agreement and the appropriation and disposal of land shall apply to fire authorities constituted by combination schemes as they apply to fire authorities being councils of counties F34or, in Wales, counties or county boroughs. . ., and accordingly references F33. . . the said provisions of the said F32Act of 1972 to local authorities shall include references to fire authorities constituted by combination schemes.
F353A
Meetings of a fire authority which is (as well as one which is not) constituted by a combination scheme are open to the public, and documents relating to such meetings are open to inspection by the public, in accordance with the provisions of Part VA of the M6Local Government Act 1972.
4
For the purposes of the discharge of their functions under a combination scheme, the fire authority constituted by the scheme shall have the powers of the council of a county F36or, in Wales, of a county or county borough. . . in relation to the borrowing of money for fire service purposes and the provisions of F32section one hundred and seventy two of, and Schedule 13 to, the M7Local Government Act 1972, and of any other enactment relating to the borrowing of money by local authorities shall apply accordingly, subject to such adaptations and modifications as may be prescribed by the scheme.
F375
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6
A fire authority constituted by a combination scheme may, if so authorised by the scheme, make arrangements with any constituent authority for the use by the fire authority of the services of officers and servants of the constituent authority and for the making of contracts and payments on behalf of the fire authority by the constituent authority.
F387
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9 Amendment and revocation of combination schemes.
1
A combination scheme approved or made under section five or section six of this Act may be amended or revoked by a subsequent scheme approved or made under those sections, and the foregoing provisions of this Act shall, so far as applicable, have effect in relation to any such amending or revoking scheme subject to any necessary modifications and to the following provisions of this section.
2
Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, provision may be made by any such subsequent scheme—
a
for the division of the combined area into any two or more areas for the purposes of this Act, being either counties F39or, in Wales, counties or county boroughs. . . or combined areas constituted by the subsequent scheme, or for the inclusion in the combined area of the area of any other fire authority.
b
for the dissolution of any fire authority constituted by the original scheme, and the winding-up of any combined fire service fund established thereunder, or for the reconstitution of any such authority or fund;
c
for the transfer or re-transfer to such fire brigades as may be determined by the subsequent scheme of members of the fire brigade established by the original scheme;
d
for the transfer or re-transfer to such authorities as may be determined by the subsequent scheme of any officers, property, rights or liabilities of the fire authority constituted by the original scheme;
e
for any other matters incidental to or consequential on the provisions of the subsequent scheme.
3
The authority or authorities by whom a scheme for the amendment or the revocation of a combination scheme or schemes may be submitted to the Secretary of State under subsection (1) of section five of this Act shall be the fire authority or authorities constituted by the scheme or schemes to be amended or revoked, together, in the case of an amending scheme which provides for the inclusion in a combined area of the area of a fire authority other than one constituted by a combination scheme, with that fire authority; and references to fire authorities in subsection (1) of section five of this Act shall be construed accordingly.
4
The authorities to whom, under subsection (2) of section six of this Act, notice must be given by the Secretary of State of a scheme proposed to be made by him for the amendment or revocation of a combination scheme or schemes shall be the authority or authorities by whom a scheme for that purpose might have been submitted by virtue of the last foregoing subsection, and the council of any county F40or, in Wales, of any county or county borough. . . comprised in the combined area constituted by the original scheme or schemes.
C6C710 Power to make schemes in advance of alterations of local government areas.
M8If an order is made under Part IV of theLocal Government Act 1972F41or Part II of the Local Government Act 1992 F162or section 17 of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 affecting any area, a combination scheme may be made under this Act with respect to that area before F42the date on which that order gives effect to any transfer of functions or alteration of boundaries in relation to that area but so as to come into operation on or after that date; and in relation to such a scheme the provisions of this Act shall apply subject to any necessary modifications and F43as if—
a
references to the area of a fire authority included references to any area which (apart from any combination scheme under this section) would become such an area by virtue of such an order or which, in accordance with such an order, is to be treated, for the purposes of the making of any combination scheme, as an area which would become the area of a fire authority by virtue of that order; and
b
references, in relation to such an area, to the fire authority were references to the fire authority for any area the whole or any part of which will be included in that area.
11 Adaptation of local Acts relating to fire services.
1
Where, by any local Act in force with respect to an area of any local authority which ceases to be a separate authority for fire-fighting purposes by virtue of this Act or of a scheme thereunder, provision is made for conferring or imposing special powers or duties on persons employed for such purposes by that authority, the Secretary of State may by order adapt the local Act so far as appears to him to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of the exercise or performance of those powers or duties by persons so employed by the fire authority for the county F44or, in Wales, the county or county borough comprising that area, or for the combined area, as the case may be:
Provided that nothing in this subsection or in any order made in accordance therewith shall be construed as extending the area within which or the matters in relation to which any such powers or duties as aforesaid are authorised or required by the local Act to be exercised or performed.
2
As from the appointed day any reference in any enactment passed before the passing of this Act and for the time being in force to a fire brigade (by whatever name described) maintained by an authority which is an authority for fire-fighting purposes by virtue of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the brigade maintained by the authority in pursuance of this Act.
3
Any order under subsection (1) of this section may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order thereunder made in the like manner and subject to the like provisions.
C812 Discharge of functions of fire authorities through other fire authorities or persons.
1
A fire authority may make arrangements with any other fire authority or other persons who maintain a fire brigade so as to secure, by the provision of services by the other fire authority or persons, the discharge of all or any of the first-mentioned fire authority’s functions under this Act in respect of all or any part of its area, and arrangements under this subsection may make provision with respect to the terms as to payments or otherwise on which the services in question are to be provided:
F45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F46C92
Any fire authority who have requested, or have been requested by, another fire authority to enter into arrangements under the last foregoing subsection, or to vary or cancel any such arrangements, may, in the absence of agreement between them, request the Secretary of State to determine what arrangements, if any, should be entered into or, as the case may be, what variation, if any, should be made or whether the arrangements should be cancelled.
F47C93
Where it appears to the Secretary of State expedient with a view to securing greater efficiency that it is for consideration whether arrangements under subsection (1) of this section should be entered into by two fire authorities or whether any such arrangements should be varied or cancelled, he may give notice to the authorities accordingly.
C94
Where a request is made to the Secretary of State under subsection (2) of this section, or notice is given by the Secretary of State under the last foregoing subsection, he shall afford an opportunity to the fire authorities concerned to make representations and, if he thinks fit or if any of those authorities request him so to do, shall cause a public local inquiry to be held.
C95
If the Secretary of State is satisfied, after considering any representations made under the last foregoing subsection and, if an inquiry is held, the report of the person by whom the inquiry was held, that it is expedient with a view to securing greater efficiency F48. . . that arrangements should be made for the provision of services as mentioned in subsection (1) of this section F49or that such arrangements should be varied or cancelled, he may direct that the fire authorities shall enter into such arrangements as may be specified in the direction F50or, as the case may be, shall make such variations in the arrangements as may be so specified or shall cancel the arrangements.
Supply of water for fire-fighting
13 Duty of fire authorities to ensure supply of water for fire-fighting.
A fire authority shall take all reasonable measures for ensuring the provision of an adequate supply of water, and for securing that it will be available for use, in case of fire.
E314 Supply of water by statutory undertakers.
1
For the purposes of the last foregoing section, a fire authority may enter into an agreement with statutory water undertakers for the taking by the undertakers, on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement, of such measures as may be so specified for securing that an adequate supply of water will be available in case of fire; and no water undertakers shall unreasonably refuse to enter into any agreement proposed by a fire authority under this subsection.
F51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Without prejudice to the generality of the last foregoing subsection, a fire authority, if satisfied that the existing supply of water provided by any statutory water undertakers for domestic and industrial purposes would be likely to be inadequate in case of fire, may enter into an agreement with the undertakers under the last foregoing subsection for the provision of such additional supply of water as may be specified in the agreement.
3
F52The following provisions shall have effect in relation to any fire-hydrant for the time being provided by a water undertaker by being fixed on any pipe of the undertaker, that is to say
a
undertakers shall at the expense of the fire authority cause the situation of every fire hydrant provided by the undertakers to be plainly indicated by a notice or distinguishing mark, which may be placed on any wall or fence adjoining a street or public place;
b
where any such hydrant is damaged as the result of any use made of it, with the authority of the undertakers, not being a use for fire-fighting purposes or for any other purposes of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act, the fire authority shall not be liable for the cost of repairing or replacing the hydrant incurred as the result of the damage.
F53E34
The obligations of a water undertaker under subsections (1) to (3) of this section or any agreement under subsection (1) of this section shall be enforceable under F54section 18 of the Water Industry Act 1991 by the Secretary of State.
5
Any person who uses a fire hydrant, otherwise than for fire-fighting purposes or for any other purposes of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act or for any purpose authorised by the undertakers or other persons to whom the hydrant belongs, or who damages or obstructs any fire hydrant, otherwise than in consequence of its use for any such purpose as aforesaid, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F55level 2 on the standard scale.
6
The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council constituted under this Act, make regulations providing for uniformity in fire hydrants provided by statutory water undertakers and in the notices or marks indicating their situation; and in any case to which regulations under this subsection apply such undertakers shall not be deemed to have complied with their obligations under subsection (3) of this section and the enactments therein referred to unless the hydrants, notices or marks provided by them conform with the regulations.
E3F567
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15 Provision of water supply otherwise than by statutory undertakers.
1
A fire authority shall for the purposes of the last but one foregoing section have power by agreement—
a
to secure the use, in case of fire, of water under the control of any person other than statutory water undertakers;
b
to improve the access to any such water;
c
to lay and maintain pipes and to carry out other works in connection with the use of such water in case of fire.
2
F57Without prejudice to section 9A of the M9Water (Scotland) Act 1980 (prohibition on any charge for water taken to extinguish fires etc.) and subject to any agreement under the last foregoing subsection F58and without prejudice to F59sections 57(1) and 147(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991, a fire authority may use for fire-fighting purposes any convenient and suitable supply of water, but shall be liable to pay reasonable compensation therefor:
F60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Notice to be given of proposed works affecting water supply and fire hydrants.
1
Where a person proposes to carry out any works for the purpose of supplying water to any part of the area of a fire authority, he shall give notice in writing thereof to the fire authority, and the notice shall be given—
F61a
not less than fourteen days before the works are begun, in any case where the works are proposed to be carried out to comply with a requirement imposed under any enactment other than the M10Water Act 1945;
b
not less than six weeks before the works are begun, in any other case.
F61not less than six weeks before the works are begun.
2
At least seven days before any works which affect any fire hydrant are begun, the authority or person by whom the works are to be executed shall give notice in writing to the fire authority:
Provided that where in a case of emergency it is not practicable for notice to be given at the time required by the foregoing provisions of this subsection, those provisions shall be deemed to have been complied with if the notice is given as early as may be.
F623
Any authority or other person who, without reasonable excuse, fails within the required period to give any notice which he is required to give under this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
Administrative provisions
17 Conditions of service.
1
The Secretary of State may, subject to the provisions of this section, make regulations as to the conditions of service of persons employed as members of fire brigades maintained in pursuance of this Act, F63as follows, that is to say—
F64a
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
c
as to the maintenance of discipline;
d
as to appeals against dismissal or disciplinary action (including dismissal on disciplinary grounds).
F65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Where—
a
the Secretary of State is satisfied that proper arrangements are in force for the consideration, by persons representing the interests of fire authorities and of persons employed as members of fire brigades maintained in pursuance of this Act, or any class of persons so employed, of questions arising as to the conditions of service of persons so employed or of the class of persons in question, as the case may be; and
b
a recommendation is made in accordance with the arrangements as to any matter falling within the last foregoing subsection,
then if the Secretary of State approves the recommendation he may by regulations under this section give effect thereto.
3
Where the Secretary of State does not approve any recommendation made as mentioned in the last foregoing subsection he shall refer the recommendation for further consideration in accordance with the arrangements, and for the making in accordance with the arrangements of a report thereon within such period not less than twenty-one days as he may specify, and shall take into consideration any report so made before proceeding to make regulations under this section as to any matter to which the recommendation relates.
4
Where, without any such recommendation as aforesaid in that behalf having been made, the Secretary of State proposes to make regulations under this section, then, if such arrangements as aforesaid are in force as respects the persons to whom the regulations are to relate, he shall before making the regulations refer his proposals—
a
for consideration in accordance with the arrangements; and
b
for the making in accordance with the arrangements of a report on the proposals within such period not less than twenty-one days as the Secretary of State may specify,
and where a report is so made then if the Secretary of State approves the recommendations in the report he may by regulations under this section give effect thereto, but if he does not approve the recommendations the last foregoing subsection shall apply as it applies where he does not approve recommendations made as mentioned in subsection (2) of this section.
F665
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P118 Procedure and qualifications for appointments and promotions.
P21
The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council constituted under this Act, make regulations as to any of the following matters, that is to say—
a
the method of appointment of chief officers of fire brigades maintained in pursuance of this Act;
F67b
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
c
the qualifications for appointment to any such brigade or to any rank therein, and for promotion into any such rank F68and the method of ascertaining any such qualifications
F69d
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F702
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C10C1119 Fire brigade establishments to be determined in accordance with approved schemes.
1
The establishment of members of a fire brigade of different descriptions and ranks, and of fire stations and equipment of different descriptions, to be maintained by a fire authority in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this Act shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of a scheme made by the authority under this section (hereafter in this Act referred to as an “establishment scheme”) and for the time being in force.
2
An establishment scheme shall provide that the chief officer of the fire brigade to which the scheme relates shall be directly responsible to the fire authority maintaining the brigade or to a committee thereof.
F713
Every fire authority shall notify the Secretary of State not later than the end of January in any year of the establishment scheme in force in their area on the first day of January in that year.
F714
A fire authority shall not vary the establishment scheme for their area by closing a fire station or reducing the number of—
a
whole-time members of any rank of the fire brigade to which the scheme relates, other than members whose duties do not normally include fire fighting,
b
part-time members of that brigade,
c
pumping appliances kept ready to attend fires, or
d
other appliances kept ready to attend fires,
except with the approval of the Secretary of State.
5
If as respects the area of any fire authority—
F72a
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b
at any time it appears to the Secretary of State that the establishment scheme in force is not satisfactory.
the Secretary of State may, after affording to the fire authority an opportunity of making representations to him, make a scheme.
6
F757
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
The Secretary of State may, for the purposes of his functions under this section, hold such public local inquiries as he thinks fit; and if in connection with the making of a scheme under paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of this section the fire authority so requires, the Secretary of State shall cause a public local inquiry to be held before he makes the scheme.
F759
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F7620. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Standards of training and equipment.
The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council constituted under this Act, by regulations provide for the observance by fire authorities of such requirements with respect to—
a
standards of training for members of fire brigades maintained in pursuance of this Act;
b
design or performance of equipment for such brigades,
as appear to him to be necessary to secure efficient fire services.
22 Provision by Secretary of State of equipment.
The Secretary of State may in accordance with arrangements approved by the Treasury provide, for purchase by any fire authority desiring to avail themselves of the arrangements, equipment for the discharge of the functions of fire authorities under this Act.
23 Training centres.
1
The Secretary of State may establish and maintain—
a
a central training institution; and
b
one or more local training centres,
for providing courses of instruction in matters relating to fire services.
F771A
The Scottish Ministers may arrange for members of fire brigades to attend such courses at the central training institution.
F782
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
A fire authority may establish and maintain training centres for providing courses of instruction for members of their own or other fire brigades and for training persons for service in fire brigades.
C12C1324 Inspectors of Fire Brigades.
1
For the purpose of obtaining information as to the manner in which fire authorities are performing their functions under this Act and as to technical matters relating to those functions, inspectors may be appointed by His Majesty, and the Secretary of State may appoint assistant inspectors and other officers.
2
The Secretary of State may pay to persons appointed under this section such remuneration as he may with the approval of the F79Minister for the Civil Service determine.
F8025. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pensions etc.
C14P3C1526 Firemen’s Pension Scheme.
1
The Secretary of State may by order bring into operation a scheme, to be known as the Firemen’s Pension Scheme, whereby provision is made, subject to the provisions of this section and of the Scheme, for the payment by fire authorities and such other authorities as may be specified in the Scheme of pensions, allowances and gratuities to persons employed as members of fire brigades maintained in pursuance of this Act who retire from such employment on or after the appointed day or die on or after the appointed day while so employed, and to their widows, children and dependants.
2
The Firemen’s Pension Scheme (hereafter in this and the next following section referred to as “the Scheme”) may include provision—
a
for defining the classes of persons employed as aforesaid in respect of whose service awards, or awards of any class specified in the Scheme, may be made under the Scheme, and in particular for excluding in relation to any such awards or class of awards persons who are not wholly and permanently so employed or who are so employed on such ancillary duties as may be specified in the Scheme, and for treating, for all or any of the purposes of the Scheme, employment in Great Britain or elsewhere on duties connected with the provision of fire services, being employment (otherwise than as a member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act) of such classes as may be specified in the Scheme, as if it were employment as a member of such a brigade;
F81aa
where a person immediately before he undertakes service of a description specified in the First Schedule to the M11Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951, or attends for hourly instruction as defined in section forty-two of that Act, either—
i
is a member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act, or
ii
is employed in employment on duties connected with the provision of fire services which is treated for the purposes of the Scheme as if it were employment as a member of such a fire brigade,
for treating employment during the period of his service or instruction, and during such further period, if any, as may be specified in the Scheme, as employment as a member of such a fire brigade.
b
for reckoning, for all or any of the purposes of the Scheme, such employment, whether before or after the appointed day (other than employment as a member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act) as may be specified in the Scheme as if it were employment as a member of such a brigade, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as may be so specified and either as respects the whole of service in employment so specified or as respects such fraction thereof as may be so specified;
C16c
for the making by persons in respect of whose service awards may be made under the Scheme of such contributions as may be specified by the Scheme, and, in such circumstances as may be so specified, for the repayment of contributions so made or their application in such manner and for the benefit of such persons as may be so specified;
C17d
for substituting, for all or any of the purposes of the Scheme, the Secretary of State for a fire authority in relation to any F82employment which is treated for the purposes of the Scheme as if it were employment as a member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act;
C17e
for the making to a fire authority by the Secretary of State or another fire authority, or by any other authority by which a person has been employed in employment specified under paragraph (b) of this subsection or which has incurred any liability in respect of the payment of a pension in the event of a person’s retirement from employment so specified of payments in respect of previous service (whether before or after the appointed day) on a person’s entry on employment with the fire brigade maintained by the first-mentioned fire authority, and for the making to the Secretary of State by a fire authority or any such other authority as aforesaid of payments in respect of previous service (whether before or after the appointed day) on a person’s entry on F82employment which is treated for the purposes of the Scheme as if it were employment as a member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act;
f
for the reimbursement of payments under the last foregoing paragraph out of any superannuation fund to which contributions have been made in respect of the previous service to which the payments related;
g
for the making, where a person enters on employment with a fire authority in a case where no payment falls to be made under paragraph (e) of this subsection, of payments in respect of previous service with that authority out of any superannuation fund to which contributions have been made in respect of the previous service;
h
for the conditions as to evidence or otherwise subject to which any award under the Scheme may be made, for the manner in which any question specified in the Scheme arising under the Scheme is to be determined, and for appeals from determinations of any such question;
i
for excluding or modifying, in the case of an injury in respect of which an award is made under the Scheme, being an injury sustained in the execution of duty in such circumstances as may be specified in the Scheme, any other right against the Crown or other authority in whose employment the injury occurred to compensation or damages in respect of the injury or the consequences thereof, so however that no provision made by virtue of this paragraph shall affect any right under the F83enactments relating to F84. . . social security;
j
for such incidental and supplemental matters as appear to the Secretary of State expedient for the purposes of the Scheme, including provisions as to funds for defraying liabilities under the Scheme and provision for the like purposes as under the enactments in the M12Fire Brigade Pensions Act 1925, specified in the first column of the Third Schedule to this Act (which relate to the matters specified in the second column of that Schedule) was made in relation to awards under the said Act of 1925.
In this section the expression “employment” includes engagement in any service.
F852A
The Scheme may also include—
a
such provision for the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities to persons employed as members of fire brigades maintained in pursuance of this Act who are dismissed from such employment, and to their widows, children and dependants, as will enable the Scheme to comply with the requirements set out in Schedule 16 to the M13Social Security Act 1973, and
b
such provision incidental or supplementary thereto as appears to the Secretary of State to be expedient.
F863
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
If a person obtains or attempts to obtain for himself or any other person—
a
any award under the Scheme, or
b
any sum in respect of the repayment or application of contributions made under the Scheme,
F87. . . by maiming or injuring himself, or causing himself to be maimed or injured, or otherwise producing disease or infirmity, F87. . ., he shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds, and (without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph (j) of subsection (2) of this section) the Scheme may authorise, in the case of a person who has been convicted of an offence under this subsection, the forfeiture, in whole or in part, of any award or sum so obtained.
C165
The Scheme may be varied by a subsequent order of the Secretary of State under this section.
6
Any order under this section shall be made with the approval of the F88Minister for the Civil Service, and after consultation with the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council.
C1827 Firemen’s Pension Scheme to supersede other statutory schemes.
1
As respects any person retiring on or after the appointed day from employment as, or employment which for the purposes of the Scheme is to be treated as employment as, a member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act, or dying on or after the appointed day while in such employment, the Scheme shall, subject to the provisions of this section, have effect to the exclusion of any other provision for pension, allowance or gratuity in respect of such employment contained in or in force under any enactment.
C192
Where—
a
immediately before the appointed day there are in operation by virtue of any enactment (other than an enactment contained in the M14Fire Brigades Pensions Act 1925), any arrangements for the grant of pensions, allowances or gratuities in respect of members of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of the M15Fire Brigades Act 1938 (in this subsection referred to as “the former brigade”); and
b
the Government Actuary certifies that the Scheme, if modified by reference to the arrangements so as to have effect subject to such modifications as are mentioned in the next following subsection, would be on the whole not less favourable than the Scheme not so modified,
then if any person—
i
who was a member of the former brigade immediately before the eighteenth day of August, nineteen hundred and forty-one; or
ii
who by virtue of having been a member of the former brigade was designated under paragraph (1)(b) of regulation 3 of the National Fire Service (Preservation of Pensions) (Police Firemen) Regulations 1941, as a person in whose case those regulations should have effect; or
iii
who immediately before the said eighteenth day of August was engaged in service or work in such circumstances that under the M16Police and Firemen (War Service) Act 1939, his service or work fell to be treated as a period of approved service in the former brigade; and
iv
who in any case becomes on the appointed day or on the termination thereafter of such service or work as aforesaid a member of the former brigade,
gives notice in that behalf to such authority and within such period as may be specified by the Scheme, the Scheme shall have effect in his case, so long as he remains a member of the former brigade, subject to the said modifications.
3
The modifications referred to in the last foregoing subsection are such modifications as will secure that subject to the following provisions of this section—
a
as respects superannuation awards, the Scheme contains the like provisions in respect of the persons entitled to awards, the conditions entitling persons to awards, and the amounts of awards, as the arrangements mentioned in paragraph (a) of the last foregoing subsection;
b
as respects injury awards, an authority making an award under the Scheme may, in any case in which it appears to them that an award under the said arrangements would have exceeded the award under the Scheme, increase the award under the Scheme by an amount not greater than the excess, as estimated by the authority;
c
as respects the rates of contributions to be made by persons in respect of whose service awards may be made, the rates shall be the same as under the said arrangements, subject to such abatement as may be provided by the Scheme for offsetting any provisions of the Scheme having effect by virtue of subsection (5) or (6) of this section in cases where those provisions apply.
In this subsection the expression “injury award” means a pension, allowance or gratuity in respect of death or incapacity of mind or body occasioned either by an injury received in the execution of duty without the default of the person injured or in such circumstances that the Scheme, apart from the foregoing modifications, applies in like manner as if it had been occasioned by an injury so received; and “superannuation award” means a pension, allowance or gratuity other than an injury award.
4
For the purposes of subsection (2) of this section, a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of the M17Fire Brigades Act 1938, for any area and a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act for that area, or an area including that area, shall be treated as one.
C20F895
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F906
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F91C2127A Information in connection with firemen’s pensions etc.
1
A fire authority may in prescribed circumstances—
a
provide information in connection with the questions specified in subsection (2) below to a prescribed person; and
b
require that person to pay a reasonable fee in respect of any administrative expenses incurred in providing that information.
2
The following are the questions mentioned in subsection (1) above—
a
whether an individual who has opted or transferred out has suffered loss as a result of a contravention which is actionable under section 62 of the M18Financial Services Act 1986 F92or section 150 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (actions for damages in respect of contravention of rules etc. made under the Act), and
b
if so, what payment would need to be made in respect of that individual to the fire authority concerned to restore the position to what it would have been if that individual had not opted or transferred out.
3
Where—
a
an individual who has opted or transferred out becomes entitled to make contributions under the Scheme to a fire authority, or
b
a payment is made to a fire authority in respect of such an individual for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(b) above,
the fire authority may require a prescribed person to pay a reasonable fee in respect of any administrative expenses incurred in connection with that entitlement or payment.
4
For the purposes of this section, an individual shall be taken to have opted or transferred out if—
a
for any period during which he is a member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act, he does not make contributions under the Scheme but instead makes contributions to a personal pension scheme; or
b
a transfer value is paid in respect of the individual by a fire authority to a personal pension scheme.
5
In this section—
“personal pension scheme” has the meaning given by section 1 of the M19Pension Schemes Act 1993;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State under this section;
“the Scheme” has the same meaning as in sections 26 and 27 of this Act.
F9328. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Miscellaneous and General
29 Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council.
1
The Secretary of State shall constitute a Council to be called the Central Fire Brigade Advisory Council, for the purpose of advising him on any matters as to which he is required by this Act to consult the Council or any other matter arising, otherwise than under section seventeen of this Act, in connection with the operation of this Act which the Council have taken into consideration, whether on a reference from the Secretary of State or otherwise.
2
Subject to the provisions of the next following subsection, the Council shall consist of a chairman appointed by the Secretary of State and of such number of other persons so appointed as the Secretary of State may determine, being persons appointed as representing the interests of fire authorities and of persons employed as members of fire brigades maintained in pursuance of this Act.
3
In addition to the persons mentioned in the last foregoing subsection the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, appoint as members of the Council, either generally or for the consideration of any particular matter, such other persons appearing to him to have special qualifications as he may determine.
4
The procedure (including the quorum) of the Council shall, subject to any directions of the Secretary of State, be such as the Council may determine.
5
The Secretary of State may defray any expenses authorised by him with the consent of the Treasury to be incurred by the Council.
30 Powers of firemen and police in extinguishing fires.
1
Any member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act who is on duty, any member of any other fire brigade who is acting in pursuance of any arrangements made under this Act, or any constable, may enter and if necessary break into any premises or place in which a fire has or is reasonably believed to have broken out, or any premises or place which it is necessary to enter for the purposes of extinguishing a fire or of protecting the premises or place from acts done for fire-fighting purposes, without the consent of the owner or occupier thereof, and may do all such things as he may deem necessary for extinguishing the fire or for protecting from fire, or from acts done as aforesaid, any such premises or place or for rescuing any person or property therein.
2
Any person who wilfully obstructs or interferes with any member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act who is engaged in operations for fire-fighting purposes shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F94level 3 on the standard scale.
3
At any fire the senior fire brigade officer present shall have the sole charge and control of all operations for the extinction of the fire, including the fixing of the positions of fire engines and apparatus, the attaching of hose to any water pipes or the use of any water supply, and the selection of the parts of the premises, object or place where the fire is, or of adjoining premises, objects or places, against which the water is to be directed.
4
Any water undertakers shall, on being required by any such senior officer as is mentioned in the last preceding subsection to provide a greater supply and pressure of water for extinguishing a fire, take all necessary steps to enable them to comply with such requirement and may for that purpose shut off the water from the mains and pipes in any area; and no authority or person shall be liable to any penalty or claim by reason of the interruption of the supply of water occasioned only by compliance of the water undertakers with such a requirement.
F954A
Any water undertaker which, without reasonable excuse, fails to take any step which it is obliged to take by virtue of subsection (4) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
5
The senior officer of police present at any fire, or in the absence of any officer of police the senior fire brigade officer present, may close to traffic any F96streetF96road or may stop or regulate the traffic in any F96streetF96road whenever in the opinion of that officer it is necessary or desirable to do so for fire-fighting purposes.
6
In this section the expression “senior fire brigade officer present,” in relation to any fire, means the senior officer present of the fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act in the area in which the fire originates, or, if any arrangements or reinforcement scheme made under this Act provided that any other person shall have charge of the operations for the extinction of the fire, that other person.
F977
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31 False alarms of fire.
1
Any person who knowingly gives or causes to be given a false alarm of fire to any fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act or to any member of such a brigade shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F98level 4 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both such fine and such imprisonment.
F992
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F1003
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32 Members of police force not to be employed in fire brigade.
No member of a police force shall be employed as a member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act.
C2233 Inquiries.
C231
The Secretary of State may hold a public local inquiry into the manner in which any fire authority are performing their functions under this Act, or into the circumstances of, or the steps taken to deal with, any particular outbreak of fire.
2
34 Expenses and receipts of Secretary of State.
1
All expenses incurred by the Secretary of State by virtue of this Act shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.
2
Any receipts of the Secretary of State under this Act shall be paid into the Exchequer.
35 Regulations and orders to be laid before Parliament.
1
Any regulations of the Secretary of State under this Act, and any order of the Secretary of State under section eleven or twenty-six thereof, shall be laid before Parliament forthwith after being made.
2
If either House of Parliament, within a period of forty days beginning with the day on which any such regulations or order as aforesaid are laid before it, resolves that an Address be presented to His Majesty praying that the regulations or order be annulled, no further proceedings shall be taken thereunder after the date of the resolution, and His Majesty may by Order in Council revoke the regulations or order, so, however, that any such resolution and revocation shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under the regulations or order or to the making of new regulations or a new order.
3
In reckoning any such period of forty days as aforesaid, no account shall be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.
C2436 Application to Scotland.
1
The provisions of this section shall have effect for the purpose of the application of this Act to Scotland.
2
For any reference to the Minister of Health there shall be substituted a reference to the Secretary of State; F102. . .; for any reference to a combination scheme there shall be substituted a reference to an administration scheme; for any reference to statutory water undertakers there shall be substituted a reference to F103Scottish Water; for references to the M21Water Act 1945, and to sections thirty-two to thirty-four F104and thirty-six of the Third Schedule thereto there shall be respectively substituted references to the Water (Scotland) Act F1051980, and to sections nineteen to twenty-one and F104twenty-three of the F105Schedule 4 thereto; for any reference to the M22Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) Act 1946, there shall be substituted a reference to the M23Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947; for any reference, in relation to a fire brigade, to the chief officer, there shall be substituted a reference to the firemaster; and any reference to a fire authority shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as including a reference to a F106joint board constituted in pursuance of the provisions hereinafter contained.
F1073
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F1083A
If it appears to any two or more fire authorities that it is expedient that their areas should be combined for fire-fighting purposes, they may submit to the Secretary of State a scheme in that behalf (in this section referred to as an “administration scheme”) and the Secretary of State may by order approve any such scheme submitted to him.
3B
A scheme under subsection (3A) above shall make provision with respect to the matters mentioned in paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (8A) below.
3C
The power to make an order under subsection (3A) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
4
An administration scheme shall make provision with regard to the following matters:—
F109a
the dis-establishment of the fire brigades maintained by the several fire authorities, the establishment and maintenance of a combined fire brigade for the combined area, and the appointment, subject to any regulations made under this Act, of a firemaster of that combined brigade;
b
the constitution for the administration of the combined fire brigade of a F110joint board consisting of such number of members, being members of the fire authorities in the area, as may be specified in the scheme;
c
the transfer to the F110joint board of the functions of the fire authorities (except the power to levy a rate and such other functions as may be specified in the administration scheme);
d
the payment out of a fund constituted in accordance with the scheme of the expenses incurred by the F110joint board in the administration of the combined fire brigade;
F111e
the payment by the fire authorities into the aforesaid fund, for the purpose set out in subsection (4A) below, of contributions in such proportions as may be determined by or under the scheme;
f
arrangements for the carry-forward from one financial year (the “carry-forward year”) to the next by the joint board of any money paid by way of contributions by the fire authorities in respect of the carry-forward year under provision made under paragraph (e) above and remaining unspent at the end of the carry-forward year.
F1124A
The purpose referred to in subsection (4)(e) above is that of meeting the expenses which the joint board estimates will be incurred by it in the administration of the combined fire brigade.
4B
Provision made under subsection (4)(f) above shall secure—
a
that the money carried forward by the joint board shall not exceed three per cent. of the total of the contributions paid into the fund by the fire authorities in respect of the carry-forward year; and
b
that, in the case mentioned in subsection (4C) below, money shall be carried forward only with the consent of the Scottish Ministers.
4C
The case is where—
a
any money carried forward from previous carry-forward years by virtue of arrangements such as are mentioned in subsection (4)(f) above and remaining unspent at the end of the carry-forward year; and
b
the money carried forward,
would, taken together, amount to more than the maximum sum.
4D
In subsection (4C) above, “maximum sum”, in relation to a carry-forward year, means the amount equal to five per cent. of the total amount of the contributions paid into the fund by the fire authorities in respect of that year.
4E
The Scottish Ministers may, by order, substitute for the percentage mentioned in—
a
subsection (4B)(a) above; or
b
subsection (4D) above,
such other percentage as they think fit.
4F
An order under subsection (4E) above shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament.
4G
Paragraphs (e) and (f) of subsection (4) above are not to be taken as preventing the carrying forward of any money, being money already carried forward to a financial year under arrangements made under subsection (4)(f) above and remaining unspent at the end of that year, from that year to the next year and, if it remains unspent at the end of that next year, to the following year, and so on.
5
An administration scheme may contain provision regarding—
a
the furnishing, on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the scheme, by one of the fire authorities of any service connected with the administration of the combined fire brigade;
b
the transfer to the F113joint board of property, rights or liabilities;
c
the appointment of officers by the joint board and the transfer to the F113joint board of officers of any of the fire authorities;
d
the settlement of differences between the fire authorities; and
e
any other matters incidental to or consequential on any provision contained in the scheme.
F1145A
Not later than 3 months before the date on which a scheme approved under subsection (3A) above or, as the case may be, made under subsection (8)(b) below is intended to come into effect, every fire authority in respect of whose area or combined area such a scheme has been approved or made shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of State for his approval an establishment scheme for their area or combined area under section 19 of this Act, and the Secretary of State may approve the scheme as submitted to him or subject to such modifications as he may direct.
F1156
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F1167
Where an administration scheme has been approved under subsection (3A) above F117or an administration scheme made under section 147(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c.65), the fire authorities affected by it may amend or revoke that scheme by a subsequent scheme submitted to the Secretary of State by them jointly and the Secretary of State may by order approve any such subsequent scheme submitted to him.
7A
A subsequent scheme under subsection (7) above may make provision with respect to any of the matters for which provision is required to be made, or may be made, by virtue of subsections (4), (5), (8)(b) and (8A) of this section.
7B
The power to make an order under subsection (7) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
F1188
The Secretary of State may by order—
a
vary or revoke an administration scheme F119made under this section or an administration scheme made under section 147(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c.65);
b
make a new administration scheme which includes provision—
i
for the division of the original combined area into any two or more areas, being either areas of fire authorities comprised in such combined area or new combined areas constituted by such scheme;
ii
for the inclusion in the combined area of any additional areas,
and such an order may make provision with respect to any of the matters for which provision is required to be made, or may be made, by virtue of subsections (4), (5) and (8A) of this section.
8A
An order under subsection (8) above may make provision with respect to any of the following matters—
a
the transfer or retransfer to such fire brigade as may be determined by the order of the members of any fire brigade affected by the order;
b
the transfer or retransfer to such fire authorities as may be determined by the order of any officers, property, rights or liabilities of any fire authority affected by the order;
c
the payment, by such fire authority and subject to such provisions as may be determined by the order, of compensation to officers employed by any fire authority affected by the order who in consequence of it or of anything done under it suffer direct pecuniary loss by reason of the determination of their appointments or the diminution of their emoluments;
d
in the case of any person who having immediately before the coming into operation of the order been the firemaster of any fire brigade affected by the order does not on the coming into operation of the order become the firemaster of any fire brigade established in consequence of the order, for the payment, in lieu of compensation under paragraph (c) above, of a pension, gratuity or allowance of such amount, subject to such conditions and by such fire authority as may be specified in the order; and
e
any other matters incidental to or consequential on any provision contained in the order.
8B
Before making an order under subsection (8) above which contains provision that two or more local government areas should form a combined area for the provision in the combined area of the services mentioned in section 1 of this Act, the Secretary of State shall—
a
consult such fire authorities as appear to him to be affected by the order; and
b
where any such authority submit objections to the order, inform that authority in writing whether he accepts the objections and, if he does not, why he does not.
8C
The power to make an order under subsection (8) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
F1209
An order made by the Secretary of State under this section shall provide for the incorporation of a joint board with a common seal and shall confer on such a board power to hold land and to borrow money.
10
A fire authority and a F121joint board which has power to borrow money by virtue of an order made under subsection (9) of this section F122or section 147(4) of the M24Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 may, subject to the provisions of F123section sixteen of, and Schedule 3 to, the M25Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975, borrow such sums as may be required for the purposes of their functions under this Act to meet expenditure of a capital nature or the cost of executing any work, or providing any plant or equipment or doing any other thing where, having regard to the nature of the work, plant, equipment or thing, the cost ought to be spread over a period of years:
Provided that nothing in this subsection shall authorise the exercise of the power of borrowing money thereby conferred otherwise than in compliance with the provisions of the M26Local Authorities Loans Act 1945, F124. . . and of any orders for the time being in force made by the Treasury under section one of the M27Borrowing (Control and Guarantees) Act 1946.
11
F12712
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
F128For the purposes of the Local Government Superannuation (Scotland) Regulations 1974, the appropriate superannuation fund in relation to the F128pensionable employees of a F129joint board shall be the superannuation fund of such one of the F130councils constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 whose area is comprised in the area of the joint committee as may be determined by or under the administration scheme.
14
Section one of this Act shall have effect as if for subsection (2) thereof the following subsection were substituted:—
2
a
Any member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act authorised in writing by the authority maintaining the fire brigade shall, on producing, if so required, some duly authenticated document showing his authority, have a right to enter any premises at all reasonable hours for the purpose of obtaining such information as is mentioned in paragraph (d) of the last foregoing subsection:
Provided that admission to any premises in which persons are employed otherwise than in domestic service, shall not be demanded as of right unless twenty-four hours’ notice of the intended entry has been given to the occupier.
b
If it is shown to the satisfaction of a sheriff or a justice of the peace—
i
that admission to any premises has been refused, or that refusal is apprehended, or that the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent, or that the case is one of urgency, or that an application for admission would defeat the object of entry; and
ii
that there is reasonable ground for entry into the premises for any such purpose as aforesaid,
the sheriff or justice may by warrant under his hand authorise the authority maintaining the fire brigade by any member thereof authorised as aforesaid to enter the premises, if need be by force:
Provided that such a warrant shall not be issued unless the sheriff or justice is satisfied either that notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier, or that the premises are unoccupied, or that the occupier is temporarily absent, or that the case is one of urgency, or that the giving of such notice would defeat the object of the entry.
c
A member of a fire brigade authorised as aforesaid entering any premises by virtue of this subsection, or of a warrant issued thereunder, may take with him such other persons as may be necessary, and on leaving any unoccupied premises which he has entered by virtue of such a warrant shall leave them as effectually secured against trespassers as he found them.
d
Every warrant granted under this subsection shall continue in force until the purpose for which the entry is necessary has been satisfied.
e
If any person who in compliance with the provisions of this subsection or of a warrant issued thereunder is admitted into any premises discloses to any person any information obtained by him therein with regard to any manufacturing process or trade secret, he shall, unless such disclosure was made in the performance of his duty, be liable to a fine not exceeding F131level 3 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.
f
A person who wilfully obstructs any person acting in the execution of this subsection or of any warrant issued thereunder shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F132level 1 on the standard scale and to a further fine not exceeding five pounds for each day on which the offence continues after conviction thereof.
F13315
For section 4 of this Act there shall be substituted the following section—
4
Subject to the provisions of this Act, with effect from 1st April 1996 the fire authority shall be a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994
16
Section eleven of this Act shall have effect as if for references to such a local authority and such a fire authority as are therein mentioned there were respectively substituted references to the F134council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 whose area is comprised in any area for which a F135joint board is appointed and to that F135joint board.
F13616A
In section 19—
a
for subsection (3) there shall be substituted the following subsection—
3
Every fire authority shall, on such dates as the Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe, notify him of the establishment scheme in force in their area on such dates as he may so prescribe.
b
after subsection (8) there shall be inserted—
8A
Regulations made under subsection (3) above shall be made by statutory instrument; and such an instrument shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
F13716B
For section 24 there is substituted—
24
For the purpose of obtaining information as to the manner in which fire authorities are performing their functions under this Act and as to technical matters relating to those functions—
a
Her Majesty may appoint a Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland and Inspectors of Fire Services for Scotland; and
b
the Scottish Ministers may appoint Assistant Inspectors of Fire Services for Scotland.
F13816C
In section 34 (expenses and receipts of Secretary of State), after subsection (1) there is inserted the following:—
1A
The Scottish Ministers may make payments to the Fire Services Examinations Board, or in respect of that Board, in relation to the exercise by it of its functions in or as regards Scotland.
F13917
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
There shall be appointed a separate Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council for Scotland to be called the Scottish Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council, and the provisions of this Act with regard to the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council shall apply to the said Scottish Council F140but with the substitution for section 29(5) of the following—
5
The Scottish Ministers may defray any expenses authorised by them to be incurred by the Scottish Council.
F141(19) Any inquiry which the Secretary of State is under this Act required or authorised to hold shall be held in public, and the provisions of subsections (3) to F142(8) of section 210 of the M29Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, shall have effect in relation thereto.
20
A fire authority and a F143joint board which has power to hold land by virtue of an order under subsection (9) of this section F144or section 147(4) of the M30Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, sell or otherwise dispose of any land vested in them and no longer required by them.
22
The following provisions of this Act—
a
sections five to ten,
b
subsection (4) and, (so far as it defines the expression “statutory water undertakers”), subsection (7) of section fourteen,
F145c
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
d
subsection (2) of section thirty-three,
F145e
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
shall not apply to Scotland.
37 Application to Isles of Scilly.
E538 Interpretation.
1
In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say:—
“appointed day” means such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint;
F155“combined area”, in relation to Scotland, means an area for which a combined fire brigade is established by an administration scheme under section 36 of this Act;
F156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“equipment” includes fire engines and other vehicles and appliances and other apparatus, and also uniforms and badges of rank;
“fire authority” means an authority which for the time being is constituted a fire authority by this Act or any combination scheme made thereunder;
“fire-fighting purposes” means the purposes of the extinction of fires and the protection of life and property in case of fire;
F157“Fire Services Examinations Board” means the Board established by regulation 3 of the Fire Services (Examinations) Regulations 1985 F158
F159“highway authority” has the same meaning as in the Highways Act 1980;
“street” includes any highway, including a highway over any bridge and any road, lane, footway, square, court, alley or passage whether a thoroughfare or not.
2
References in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as amended by or under any other enactment.
3
References in this Act to a fire authority under the M33Fire Brigades Act 1938, and to a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of that Act respectively include references to the London County Council and the London Fire Brigade.
E438 Interpretation.
1
In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say:—
“appointed day” means such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint;
F147“combined area”, in relation to Scotland, means an area for which a combined fire brigade is established by an administration scheme under section 36 of this Act F148or section 147 of the M31Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973;
F149. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“equipment” includes fire engines and other vehicles and appliances and other apparatus, and also uniforms and badges of rank;
“fire authority” means an authority which for the time being is constituted a fire authority by this Act or any combination scheme made thereunder;
“fire-fighting purposes” means the purposes of the extinction of fires and the protection of life and property in case of fire;
F150“Fire Services Examinations Board” means the Board established by regulation 3 of the Fire Services (Examinations) Regulations 1985 F151
F152“highway authority” has the same meaning as in the Highways Act 1980;
F153“road” has the same meaning as in the F154Part IV of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991; and
“roads authority” has the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984;
2
References in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as amended by or under any other enactment.
3
References in this Act to a fire authority under the M32Fire Brigades Act 1938, and to a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of that Act respectively include references to the London County Council and the London Fire Brigade.
39 Short title, extent, transitional provisions and savings.
1
This Act may be cited as the Fire Services Act 1947.
2
This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland.
F1603
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F1614
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
Without prejudice to the provisions of section thirty-eight of the M34Interpretation Act 1889 (which relates to the effect of repeals), save as provided in the Fifth Schedule to this Act, nothing in this Act shall affect—
a
the operation of any pension scheme in relation to persons retiring before the appointed day from employment as members of fire brigades or the National Fire Service, or dying before that date while in such employment; or
b
the operation of any pension scheme, the M35Police and Firemen (War Service) Act, 1939, or any scheme under section seven of that Act in relation to a person to whom section one of that Act or any scheme under the said section seven applies, unless and until the said person becomes a member of a fire brigade maintained in pursuance of this Act or becomes engaged in such other employment in connection with the provision of fire services as may for the purposes of this paragraph be specified in the Firemen’s Pension Scheme.
In this subsection the expression “pension scheme” means the M36Fire Brigade Pensions Act 1925, or any other scheme for the grant of pensions, allowances or gratuities on the retirement or death of persons employed as members of fire brigades.