The West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee is meeting at County Hall in Chichester today to evaluate the service’s performance and discuss a significant transition in its governance structure scheduled for 2027.
The meeting, which begins at 10.30 am on Friday, 25 September 2026, is chaired by Councillor Alex Jeffery, who was elected to the role in June. Members are expected to review the 2026-2030 Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) and assess the latest quarterly data on how the service is meeting its public safety targets.
Performance and Recruitment
The committee oversees 30 specific performance measures. According to the most recent official data from June 2026, 23 of these measures were rated “green,” indicating they are on track. Five were rated “amber,” while two remain “red,” including the availability of on-call crews across the county.
Addressing these “red” indicators remains a priority for the service. The scrutiny comes as the organisation continues efforts to bolster its front-line numbers; on 23 September 2026, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service welcomed six new on-call firefighters following the completion of their initial training. These recruits have been assigned to stations including Arundel and Bognor Regis, alongside Horsham and Shoreham.
On-call firefighters live or work within close proximity to their local station and are paged to respond to emergencies when required, playing a vital role in maintaining cover in more rural and coastal areas.
Future Governance Changes
Today’s session at County Hall is one of the final scrutiny meetings before a major shift in how the service is managed. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is currently in its final year of governance under West Sussex County Council, with Councillor Tracie Bangert serving as the Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue.
In April 2027, oversight is scheduled to transfer to the newly formed Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority. This move is expected to alter the long-term strategic direction of the service, and the committee is currently tasked with ensuring a stable transition that maintains local response standards in Chichester and the wider district.
The meeting is open to the public at County Hall (PO19 1RQ) and is also being webcast live via the West Sussex County Council website for those unable to attend in person.
