The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

PART IV FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT

Framework document

53.—(1) The Department shall prepare a document—

(a) setting out priorities and objectives for the Board in connection with the carrying out of its functions; and

(b) containing—

(i) such guidance in connection with the carrying out of any of those functions; and

(ii) such other matters relating to the Board or those functions,

as the Department considers appropriate.

(2) The Department—

(a) shall keep the document prepared under paragraph (1) under review; and

(b) may from time to time revise it.

(3) The Department shall carry out its functions under paragraphs (1) and (2) in the manner and to the extent that appear to it to be best calculated to promote—

(a) public safety;

(b) the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the Board; and

(c) economy, efficiency and effectiveness in connection with the matters in relation to which the Board has functions.

(4) In preparing the document mentioned in paragraph (1), or any revision of it which appears to the Department to be significant, the Department—

(a) shall consult the Board or persons considered by the Department to represent the Board; and

(b) may consult any other persons the Department considers appropriate.

(5) The Board shall have regard to the document prepared under paragraph (1) in carrying out its functions.

Miscellaneous functions

54.  The Department may—

(a) for the purpose of promoting fire safety, provide information and give advice; and

(b) where the Department considers it appropriate to do so for public safety purposes, make provision for the storage and maintenance of emergency fire fighting vehicles and associated equipment and such other arrangements as it thinks fit.

Inspectors

55.—(1) The Department may appoint inspectors for the purpose of obtaining information as to—

(a) the manner in which the Board is carrying out its functions; and

(b) technical matters relating to those functions.

(2) There shall be paid to each such inspector such remuneration as the Department may determine.

(3) An inspector of the Department may attend any meetings of the Board during the transaction of any business arising under any of the provisions of this Order and may take part in the proceedings but may not vote at any such meeting.

Directions to the Board

56.—(1) The Department may give directions of a general or specific nature to the Board as to the carrying out by the Board of any of its functions.

(2) Before giving any directions to the Board under paragraph (1) the Department shall consult the Board.

(3) It shall be the duty of the Board to comply with any directions given to it under paragraph (1).

(4) Any directions given to the Board by the Department under paragraph (1) may be varied or revoked by any subsequent directions so given.