Release date: 14 July 2026
West Sussex County Council's Cabinet has approved the fire and rescue service’s latest Statement of Assurance which sets out how the organisation is meeting its statutory, governance and operational responsibilities.
The report was approved at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 30 June and marks a significant milestone, as it is the final Statement of Assurance to be approved by West Sussex County Council before governance of the service transfers to the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority in April 2027.
The annual Statement of Assurance provides transparency about how the fire and rescue service is performing and gives residents confidence that public money is being managed effectively while communities continue to receive a high-quality service.
Councillor Tracie Bangert, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue, said: "This year's Statement of Assurance is particularly significant as it is the final report published under the previous Community Risk Management Plan which set out the strategic priorities between 2022 and 2026.
"Over the past year, the service has also worked extensively to develop its new four-year Community Risk Management Plan, engaging with residents to better understand the risks affecting their communities and the issues that matter most to them.
"With more than 900,000 residents across West Sussex relying on our fire and rescue service, I am proud of the dedication shown by our people in continuing to deliver excellent services while preparing for future changes."
Sabrina Pennington-Down, Director at West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: "This has been a year of significant change and preparation for the future, but our focus has remained firmly on keeping communities safe.
"I am incredibly proud of the professionalism, commitment and adaptability our teams have shown throughout the year. Their hard work ensures that residents continue to receive the high standard of service they can expect from their local fire and rescue service."
