South Wales Fire and Rescue Service reforms praised, but funding questions raised

A fire service has made a positive start addressing a culture of sexual harassment and misogyny, but questions remain over how further reforms will be funded, according to the public spending watchdog.

A 2024 review found senior managers at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) ignored allegations of sexism and abusive behaviour, while tolerating domestic abuse outside work.

The Welsh government intervened in February 2024, appointing four commissioners to replace councillors on South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority and oversee reforms.

Audit Wales said the authority had made progress but had yet to identify how it would fund transformation plans estimated to cost up to £19.4m.

Last month, ministers said there had been "significant progress" but that changes were not yet sufficiently embedded.

SWFRS said more time was needed to ensure reforms were sustainable.

The review found "serious deficiencies in the service" after surveying more than 450 staff.

It followed an ITV News investigation in 2022 which alleged firefighters had remained in post despite accusations of sexual harassment and abuse against female colleagues.

Audit Wales said the authority had developed a "wide-ranging improvement programme" and made progress in delivering it.

But it warned the authority had not established how it would fund plans which could cost up to £19.4m, potentially exceeding the £17.6m it held in unrestricted reserves at the end of the 2024-25 financial year.

Auditor General for Wales Catherine Mealing-Jones said the authority had made a "good start" in addressing concerns about its culture and performance.

However, she said it must now show its improvement programme was "making a real difference for local people and delivering value for taxpayers' money".

Audit Wales said the authority should simplify its priorities, explain more clearly how reform would benefit communities, identify how improvements would be funded and strengthen how it measures progress.

In July, SWFRS director of corporate services Amanda Brown said the service agreed the commissioners' work was not yet complete and supported plans for fire authority members to prepare for a return to local governance, potentially through a transition committee.

However, the commissioners are expected to remain in place until after next year's local elections.