Staffordshire Police and Crime Panel - Report on the Proposed Appointment of Mr Robert Barber to the Post of Chief Fire Officer

Report of the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel (The Panel) to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire (PFCC)

With regard to:

Staffordshire Police and Crime Panel - Confirmation Hearing re Proposed Appointment of Mr Robert Barber to the Post of Chief Fire Officer for Staffordshire

I write to inform you of the Staffordshire Police Fire and Crime Panel’s recommendation with regard to your proposal to appoint Mr Rob Barber as Chief Fire Officer for Staffordshire.

The Panel held a Confirmation Hearing on Tuesday 12 October 2021 and received a presentation by you on the recruitment and selection process followed for the post and the way in which you consider Mr Barber meets the criteria for the post.

Mr Barber gave us a summary of his career to date and we went on to ask questions which were designed to help us determine his ‘professional competence’ and ‘personal independence’. We adopted these two themes following nationally recognised guidance on confirmation hearings. Mr Barber had been given prior knowledge of the format for the Hearing.

Mr Barber was questioned on a variety of subjects ranging from challenges facing the service and possible changes in future demand. We felt that his answers were decisive and showed a real commitment to a partnership approach in addressing issues facing the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service at this time. We thank Mr Barber for the positive manner in which he engaged in the hearing process.

The Panel carefully considered the information provided by you and the responses given by Mr Barber to our questions. We felt that Mr Barber demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to Staffordshire. The Panel were also satisfied that Mr Barber could maintain the personal independence required whist providing the information you need to make informed decisions.

The Panel therefore recommends that you should proceed with the appointment of Mr Barber as Chief Fire Officer for Staffordshire.

On behalf of the Panel I would like to wish Mr Barber success in the role.

This letter will be published at 4.00 pm today and there is no embargo on it.

Yours sincerely

Councillor B Peters

Chairman
Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel

CC Mr Rob Barber