A DAMNING report by the Audit Commission (AC) has downgraded Cornwall Fire and Rescue Authority's performance from a "fair" rating to "poor".

The findings of the AC's independent Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) examine the management of Cornwall's fire service and not the work of firefighters.

Published today the scathing document calls for stronger leadership and for councillors to take a stronger role in how the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) works.

Other areas singled out for criticism include the need for the FRA to operate more closely with partner organisations, such as the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, and the development of clear and "challenging ambitions".

The report states: "Managers are not providing consistent direction to staff. Responsibilities and accountabilities are not always clear. Councillors are not providing clear leadership and challenge. The scrutiny function is not robust.

"While there is commitment to improving equality and diversity, the FRA has a long way to go to achieve a representative workforce.

"It does not have a consistent and effective approach to engaging with communities and so is not making good connections with potentially excluded groups."

The ratings the AC can give include poor, weak, fair, good and excellent.

The publication comes as the service continues to battle low morale, budget cuts and difficulties in attracting retained fire crews in rural areas.

Last year, plans to slash costs by axing 24-hour cover at Camborne and Falmouth fire stations was met with mass protests amid a tidal wave of public hostility to the move.

Councillors caved in under the weight of public pressure and 24-hour cover was kept at Camborne. Falmouth's fate has yet to be decided.

The report highlighted the need for the FRA to be more effective in assessing which communities are most at risk from fire, and how best to respond to those risks. It also stated the FRA should review its procedures, especially around home fire safety checks and set itself "challenging targets" for equality and diversity.

Gary Emery, AC senior manager, said: "Cornwall Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) has deteriorated since its last assessment in 2005. The FRA has not developed its understanding of local needs and the context within which it carries out community safety activities.

"While its staff are committed to providing an improved service for communities, and particularly for disadvantaged groups, the FRA often does not test the effectiveness of its contribution to community projects.

"It does not engage effectively with partner organisations and has fallen behind the progress made by other fire authorities in modernising the service to ensure its resources are targeted at areas of greatest need.

"Since the inspection, it has recognised the challenges it faces, and is working with government and other agencies to address them."

Cornwall's Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden is due to retire from the service after 30 years on March 31.

Just before Christmas it was announced he would be stopping work three months early and an interim Chief Fire Officer, Terry Standing, would be taking over at the helm.

Kevin Lavery, chief executive of Cornwall County Council and the new unitary authority which takes over in April, Cornwall One, said he welcomed the report and had already begun work on its action plan to tackle the issues raised.

He said: "Matt was always due to retire on March 31. We knew the report was coming and a new improvement plan was imminent. It would therefore not be sensible for a retiring chief fire officer to take on the improvement plan only to hand it over to his successor a few months later. We had been expecting a critical report from the Audit Commission, which is why we had already taken steps to begin improving the service.

"The appointment of Terry Standing has been a positive step in working with the Audit Commission and other government agencies to show that we are willing and able to improve the service.

"One of our priorities is to find a permanent new Chief Fire Officer to take the service forward on the foundations that Terry is helping us build currently and that process is already in place."

Mr Standing has served in the fire service for 29 years and was appointed Chief Fire Officer of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service in 2006. He is also group director of community safety at Gloucestershire County Council.

Mr Lavery said the FRA would now be working with Whitehall and local government to plan what it needs to do to further improve and "meet the changing risks to the area and its citizens".

Ken Yeo, executive member for public protection said: "We know we have some challenges in the months ahead but I feel it is worth pointing out that we have some great firefighters who provide a good service to the people of Cornwall."

Fire unions last night said a lack of investment in the service had led to the "poor" rating. Mike Tremellen, chairman of Cornwall's Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said: "The constant cutbacks are a big factor in the low rating the authority received. It's bound to affect morale.

"We had an increase in funding last year but quite frankly that was far too little too late. The people of Cornwall deserve a service with an "excellent" rating but we must be funded properly."