About us

• Background


• Roles and responsibilities


• Sub-committees and working groups


• Board members (links to new page)


• Office bearers (links to new page)


• Meetings (links to new page)

Background

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Board is the Fire Authority for the South East of Scotland. It covers the areas of East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, the Scottish Borders and the City of Edinburgh.

All Local Authorities in Scotland are required by law to make provision for an effective fire service, that 'will be responsible for fire fighting and rendering humanitarian services'.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Board was established under an Amalgamation Scheme Order in 2005. This Order provided for City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders Council and West Lothian Council becoming amalgamated for fire service purposes into the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Board. The responsibilities of Fire Authorities are set out in the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

Roles and Responsibilities

The organisation, management and financing of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service is shared between three parties, the Fire Authority, the Chief Fire Officer, and the First Minister. The main duties of the Board include; controlling the budget for the fire service and providing the Chief Fire Officer with the resources necessary to manage the area efficiently and effectively. The Board also makes arrangements to secure Best Value and report publicity on performance.

The Board is made up of 18 locally elected Councillors from within Lothian and Borders area, as follows:

• East Lothian Council (two Councillors)
• The City of Edinburgh Council (nine Councillors)
• Midlothian Council (two Councillors)
• The Scottish Borders Council (two Councillors)
• West Lothian Council (three Councillors)

The Board also appoints a number of office bearers to provide professional support and advice. It meets five times a year with meetings rotating between Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders. Full meetings of the Board are open to the public. Journalists are free to attend and details of debates are often reported in newspapers, radio and on TV. In addition to the Board meeting itself there are four Sub-Committees of the Board.

Sub-Committees and Working Groups

• Local Joint Consultative Group
• Scrutiny Committee
• Service Improvement Plan Implementation Sub-Committee
• Staff Appeal Committee
• Staff Disciplinary Tribunal