From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXSent: 04 October 2011 12:04To: Andrew AllisonCc: Emma CousinsSubject: Ref 0309 Freedom of information response

Dear Mr Allison, I am now able to respond to your request. 

Original request:May I refer you to spending above £500 for April. My query is in relation to reference numbers 73349 and 73274, subscriptions paid to the Chief Fire Officers Association.  Can you please tell me why two payments of £6175 were made? Can you also tell me why the fire authority makes these payments, how many payments were made in the last financial year and the current financial year, and what value the fire authority gets from being a member of the Chief Fire Officers Association?

 I can confirm that reference number 73349 was a duplicate payment of £6175.00 which was made in error. A refund was obtained from the Chief Fire Officers Association.  The Fire Authority pays 1 corporate subscription and 8 personal subscriptions (each under the £500 reportable limit) in each of the years requested. Individual membership is paid for the Senior Management Team members as it is their professional Association; benefits of individual membership are:

The Association is committed to developing the skills and experience of current and future managers within the UK FRS.   CFOA members have lots of opportunities to contribute to the national agenda and engage in personal development opportunities. By its very nature our work involves exposure to political influences which is invaluable experience for our future leaders.  Joining CFOA demonstrates their interest and commitment to advancing all aspects of the profession both locally and nationally.  Through membership they secure their personal connection to the professional network of the UK FRS.  CFOA encourages and provides, through its extensive programme of conferences, seminars and working groups, a chance to connect with your peers and other like minded professionals to exchange ideas, theories and opinion.  It gives you the valuable opportunity to build interpersonal relationships and expand your network for future collaboration.    CFOA offers a collective voice to champion a vision for the future of the UK FRS and inform a variety of audiences from the public to government.  With a strong membership they are better positioned to influence and provide leadership.  CFOA HQ is a dedicated hub, staffed by an enthusiastic team who aim to help broaden knowledge through the CFOA website, communities, members newsletters, working groups, meetings, position statements and events.   CFOA can provide multiple opportunities to demonstrate leadership among peers, and this is invaluable wherever you are on your career path.  Corporate Subscription is offered to UK FRS and they help achieve the following:

 CFOA corporate subscriptions support the infrastructure of the Association and enable CFOA to provide the national communication system for fire and rescue services across the UK which employees at all levels can access.  All employees within a subscribing FRS have access to the CFOA website and can become members of online communities and share information with colleagues across the UK; have access to notable practice case studies; take part in working groups and have access to specific pieces of guidance working groups produce.

The CFOA infrastructure facilitates the professional network through which mutual support and information can be easily accessed thus avoiding duplication of effort. Events and conferences continue to be well supported and we constantly review format and content to ensure we deliver what services want and need. The subscription charges are for a twelve month period and run from April to March; the Service reviews its level of subscription in accordance with this timeframe and in light of any personnel changes. I trust this is the information you require but if I can be of further assistance please feel free to contact me. A copy of the CFRS Complaints Procedure is attached for your information. Kind regards XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Procurement AssistantXXXXXXXXXXXXXCambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX