AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at The Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 26 September, 2001
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); Mrs. A.E. Bailey; Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; A. Bentley; K. Chapman; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; M.S. Geddes; Mrs. D. Harrison; D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Mrs. A.M. McNairScott; R.H. Price; P. Russell; K.P.J. Searle; G. Semmens; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; Mrs. P. West; W.H. Wheeler; M.J. Woodhall.
10 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown and R. Smith.
11 ATTACKS ON AMERICA - 11 SEPTEMBER 2001
The Chairman invited the meeting to stand in silence as a mark of respect to the many thousands of people including over three hundred New York firefighters who had lost their lives following the terrorist attacks on America on 11 September 2001.
Members paid a special tribute to the New York firefighters who had died trying to rescue others. The Chief Fire Officer joined Members in their tribute and reported that he and the Deputy Chief Fire Officer had known personally several of the firefighters involved. It was noted that after the meeting there would be an opportunity for Members to write messages of condolence which would be sent on to the New York Fire Department.
With the agreement of the Chairman, in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the Authority considered, as a matter of urgency, making a contribution towards a Memorial Ceremony being organised by the British Fire Service at St Paul's Cathedral, London on 11 October 2001 for the American firefighters who had lost their lives on 11 September, 2001. The item was urgent in view of the nature and date of the Ceremony.
RESOLVED:
That the Authority contribute £1,000 towards the British Fire Service Memorial Ceremony being organised at St Paul's Cathedral, London on 11 October 2001.
12 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 27 June, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
13 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS AND OPERATIONAL INCIDENTS
(i) The Chairman reported that John Bonney had recently been appointed as Deputy Chief Fire Officer (Fire Safety Personnel) and would take up his post in November. He thanked Chris Bacon for his valuable deputising role.
(ii) The Chairman welcomed Paul Carey-Kent, Deputy County Treasurer who would be attending future Authority meetings in place of Jon Pittam. Also, he reported on his continuing tour of fire stations and on attendances at other fire service related functions including an end of course ceremony for recruit firefighters on 7 September 2001. He was pleased to report that four of the new recruits were female firefighters.
(iii) A Member made reference to a recent Fire Conference in Manchester and to a work-shop about domestic sprinklers. The Chief Fire Officer echoed the Member's views over the effectiveness of this safety initiative and undertook to prepare a report for a future meeting.
(iv) The Authority received and noted a report by the Chief Fire Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) upon a number of notable fire and rescue service incidents since the last meeting.
14 PRESENTATIONS
The Authority received and noted presentations by the Treasurer on the budget process and by the HFRS Personnel Officer and Equal Opportunities Adviser about their strategy on Diversity, Fairness and Dignity. (Copies of the presentation material circulated at the meeting appear as Item 4 in the Minute Book).
15 DRAFT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the draft statement of accounts for 2000/01. It was clarified that the second sentence of paragraph 1.2 of the report should read "for the year 2000/01".
RESOLVED:
That the draft 2000/01 Statement of Accounts, as appended to the report, be approved.
16 STANDING ORDERS
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the possible adoption of additional Standing Orders by the Authority.
During discussion Members felt a small-working group should be appointed to consider the matter in the first instance and that when the item came back to the Authority for determination any proposed additional Standing Orders should appear, as appropriate, alongside the current Standing Orders. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
That a small-working group of five Members (3 Conservatives, 1 Liberal Democrat, 1 Labour) be appointed to consider recommending to the Authority the adoption of any additional Standing Orders; the Group to comprise:-
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright; M. Gausden; D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; G. Semmens.
17 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCT - COMPOSITION OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the Government's final proposals relating to principles of conduct and to the constitution appointments and procedures for Standards Committees.
In supporting the appointment of a Selection Panel to oversee the appointment of independent Members, the Authority took the view that due to the nature of the Selection Panel it should comprise of four, and not five Members, with a political proportionality of 2 Conservatives, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Labour.
The Clerk reported upon the proposed method of advertising for independent Members and explained that they would be entitled to claim travelling and subsistence and financial loss allowance.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Clerk to the Authority advertise for expressions of interest from the public interested in becoming independent Members of the Authority's Standards Committee in a local newspaper circulating within the area of the Authority.
(ii) That a Selection Panel of four Members (2 Conservatives, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Labour) be appointed to oversee the appointment of independent Members and to make recommendations to a future meeting of the Authority; the Panel to comprise:-
Councillors: J. Stocks; G. Semmens; W.H. Wheeler and 1 Liberal Democrat - this vacancy to be notified to the Clerk.
(iii) That the Authority establish a Standards Committee comprising five Members (3 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Labour) and two independent Members and the Clerk present a report to a future meeting of the Authority concerning all necessary details.
18 ESTABLISHMENT OF A BEST VALUE COMMITTEE
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 8 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the establishment of a Best Value Committee with the same membership as approved by the Authority on the 27 June, 2001 for the Best Value Steering Group. Members asked that future meetings of the new Committee be included with the Authority's Calendar of Meetings.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Best Value Committee be established as a formal Committee of the Authority.
(ii) That the terms of reference, as set out in the report, be approved.
19 OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY 2000/01 : ANNUAL STATISTICS
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the statistics of operational activity for 2000/01.
20 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRESS REPORT
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) giving an update on actions taken following the Health and Safety Executive formal inspection audit of HFRS during September 2000.
Members commended the Chief Fire Officer on the progress being made and it was
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and a further update be provided at the next meeting of the Authority.
21 DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998 - HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE COMPLIANCE - PROGRESS UPDATE
The Authority received an oral progress report by the Chief Fire Officer on those steps being taken by HFRS to comply with the new law designed to protect the privacy of individuals, in particular with regards to the processing of their personal information.
Members were pleased to learn that the District Auditor has reported that good progress has been made by HFRS towards compliance with the principles of the Act by 1 October 2001.
RESOLVED:
That the progress made be welcomed and those staff involved at HFRS be congratulated on their work.
22 REGIONAL COLLABORATION - SOUTH EASTERN FIRE SERVICE GROUP
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on developments concerning regional collaboration by the formal establishment of a South Eastern Fire Service Group.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Authority confirms its willingness to participate in meetings of the South Eastern Fire Service Group.
(ii) That the draft constitution attached as Appendix `A' to the report be endorsed for adoption by the Group.
(iii) That the Chairman of this Authority be appointed as the Member representative on the Group.
23 COMBINED FIRE AUTHORITY SEMINAR : 24-25 SEPTEMBER 2001 AT PRESTON
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 13 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the action taken in arranging for Members to attend this Seminar.
RESOLVED:
That approval be given to the Chief Fire Officer's actions, in consultation with the Chairman, in arranging for Councillors M. Gausden and G. Semmens to attend the Combined Fire Authority Seminar on 24-25 September 2001 at Preston.
24 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 18 JULY 2001
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 18 July 2001 (Item 14 in the Minute Book) and approved the items on Final Accounts and Budget Monitoring 2001/2002 resolution (a) which the Clerk reported should have been recommendations to the Authority.
25 BUDGET MONITORING 2001/02
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer and Treasurer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on Budget Monitoring 2001/02.
The Clerk reported that the recommendations contained in this report had been considered but not supported by the Finance and General Purposes Committee at their meeting on the 18 July, 2001 and in the circumstances it was appropriate for the full Authority to consider and determine the issues involved.
Notwithstanding the explanation given, a number of Members felt unable to support the two recommendations which had not been approved by the Finance and General Purposes Committee on 18 July, 2001.
Pursuant to Standing Order 14(3) the required number of Members signified their support for the voting on recommendations (i) and (ii) of the report to the Authority to be recorded to show how each Member present voted.
Members supporting:
M.F. Cartwright; J.K. Chapman; M.S. Geddes; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.R.C. Hutcheson; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Mrs. A.M. McNairScott; G. Semmens; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; Mrs. P. West; M.J. Woodhall.
Total 13
Members opposing:
Mrs. A.E. Bailey; Mrs E.S.M. Barron; A. Bentley; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; D. Horne; R.H. Price; P. Russell; K.P.J. Searle; W.H. Wheeler
Total 10
Members abstaining
None.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the savings identified in the appended budget monitoring report be approved.
(ii) That the change to the Capital starts, as set out in Appendix B to the appended budget monitoring report, be approved.
26 NOTES OF FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY GROUP - 18 JULY 2001
The Authority received the notes of the Fairness and Dignity Group held on 18 July 2001 (Item 16 in the Minute Book).
A Member drew attention to the inappropriate wording of the third sentence of the second paragraph of note 3 and the Chief Fire Officer agreed to draw this to the attention of the Minute Secretary.
27 NOTES OF COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY TASK FORCE - 15 MAY 2001 AND 20 AUGUST 2001
The Authority received the notes of the Community Fire Safety Task Force Meetings held on 15 May and 20 August 2001 (Item 17 in the Minute Book).
28 MINUTES OF BEST VALUE STEERING GROUP - 10 SEPTEMBER 2001
The Authority received the notes of the Best Value Steering Group held on 10 September 2001 (Item 18 in the Minute Book).
29 MINUTES OF PERSONNEL COMMITTEE - 10 SEPTEMBER 2001
The Authority received the Minutes of the Personnel Committee held on 10 September 2001 (Item 19 in the Minute Book) and noted that the recommendation to the Authority in relation to Retained Service Counting for Wholetime Service would be considered separately (Minute 31 refers).
30 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of Paragraph 7 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Minute 31 below.
31 RETAINED SERVICE COUNTING FOR WHOLE TIME SERVICE
At the commencement of this item Councillor G. Semmens declared a pecuniary interest on this item and left the meeting.
The Authority considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 21 in the Minute Book) about retained service counting for whole time firefighters pay entitlement.
In supporting the recommendation of the Personnel Committee in principle in relation to Option 2, the Authority felt there were other important details which they would wish to consider before making a decision. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
That the Authority agree in principle to Option 2 as set out in the report, but that a further report be made by the Chief Fire Officer to the next meeting of the Authority on detailed implications and costs, including legal advice on not paying interest and the extent to which such a decision could be challenged and how to manage the financial process which would be involved.
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