AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 25 September, 2002
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); Mrs. A.E. Bailey; K. Chapman; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; P. Luffman; R. McIntosh; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; R.H. Price; P. Russell; K.P.J. Searle; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
94 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; R. Baulk; A. Bentley; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; D.A. Kirk and G. Semmens.
95 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 6 June, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Chairman's Communications (Minute 90)
The Authority were advised that, whilst it was not practicable for the NJC to communicate directly with named Members of the Authority in relation to the 2002 Firefighters' Pay Claim, the Chief Fire Officer would continue to communicate developments by way of letter to all Members. Also, it was noted that the Chairman of the Authority and of the Personnel Committee together with Leaders of the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups would continue to meet, as required, with the Chief Fire Officer to discuss current issues concerning the pay dispute.
Copnor Fire Station, Portsmouth (Minute 93)
The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that the programme of repair works to the Copnor Fire Station had commenced and were expected to be completed within budget.
96 HFRA MEMBERSHIP
It was noted that Councillor Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown had replaced Councillor B.D. Dash as a Member of the Authority.
97 PRESENTATION "INTERACTIVE FIRE SAFETY" CD-ROM FOR CHILDREN
The Authority received a report by the Chief Fire Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) about two items of work associated with the rebuilding of St. Mary's Fire Station, Southampton : a mural based on the "triangle of fire"; and on an interactive fire safety CD-ROM for children.
A presentation was given at the meeting highlighting the potential of the new CD-ROM for teaching fire safety education in schools. It was noted that this new initiative would officially be launched on 17 October, 2002 and that all Members of the Authority would be invited to attend.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Authority endorsed the initiative and use of the interactive CD-ROM to enhance fire safety education in schools.
(ii) That the Chief Fire Officer and the Authority congratulate those Fire Service staff involved in the CD-ROM initiative and that a further report be made to the Authority in twelve months time on its impact in schools.
98 DEPUTATION
[Prior to the commencement of this item, Standing Order 19(2) was suspended by the Authority to enable Mr. W. Parsons to make a deputation; Mr. Parsons not being a Local Government elector within the area of the Authority].
The Authority received a deputation from Mr. W. Parsons, Firefighter's Campaign Co-ordinator on behalf of the Hampshire Fire Brigades Union in support of the 2002 National Fire Service Pay Claim. A note of his presentation appears as Item 5 in the Minute Book.
99 FIREFIGHTERS' PAY DISPUTE
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 5(i) in the Minute Book) on the latest developments in relation to the Fire Brigade's Union (FBU) pay claim and the present industrial relations position.
In discussion the Authority wished to place on record their appreciation of the professional and responsible way in which the local brigade FBU officials and their members had so far conducted themselves in respect of this matter.
Members supported the importance of the Chief Fire Officer being able to act quickly in relation to financial, operational and contractual decisions arising from the dispute but felt that, wherever possible, he should seek to consult before making such decisions not only with the Chairman but also with the two Vice-Chairmen and the Leaders of the two minority parties as well.
Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That the current industrial relations situation in respect of the firefighters' pay dispute be noted.
(ii) That, in noting, that the Chief Fire Officer has delegated powers to act in the best interests of the Authority such powers will be exercised in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and Leaders of the two minority parties of the Authority and with the Clerk and Treasurer to the Authority, as appropriate, practicable and possible.
100 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS AND INCIDENTS OF INTEREST
(i) The Chairman reported on his attendances at the LGA Fire Conference 3-5 September, 2002, the remembrance service in London for firefighters who had died at fire incidents; the LGA Fire Forum and the CFA Conference in Essex. Also, he referred to visits to the Grayshott Retained Fire Station and to the Beaulieu Fire Station where a ceremony was held to fix the Montague Crest to the Beaulieu Fire Appliance. Finally, Members noted that there had been inaccuracies in press coverage on 5 September, 2002 and previously about the HFRS Incident Command Unit and that this was being investigated.
(ii) The Authority received and noted a report by the Chief Fire Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on a number of notable fire and rescue incidents from May to 16 September, 2002. Particular reference was made to the HFRS involvement in a fire incident on board a vessel in Portsmouth Dockyard on 16 September. Members wished to record their appreciation to those crews involved in what was a particularly difficult and dangerous incident.
(iii) The Authority noted that Senior Divisional Officer Chris Bacon would be retiring from HFRS on 30 November, 2002. The Chief Fire Officer, the Chairman and other Members thanked SDO Bacon for his most valuable work on behalf of the HFRS and wished him a long and happy retirement.
101 BUDGET 2003/04
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and the Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on major pressures and areas of potential savings to advise Members and the constituent authorities of likely budget requirements for 2003.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Authority notes the issues raised in the report prior to preparation of the 2003/04 budget.
(ii) That the Treasurer forwards a copy of the report to the constituent authorities to inform them of the pressures identified for the 2003/04 budget, the likely level of increase in the levy, and the efficiency savings considered.
102 REVENUE GRANT DISTRIBUTION PROPOSALS FOR CONSULTATION
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Fire Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) about a recently published consultation paper "Local Government Finance : formula grant distribution" and proposed changes to the way the Government calculates grants for local authorities and their potential effects on the
HFRA.
During a full discussion Members supported the responses to the consultation as set out in the report subject to recommendation (i) being amended to explain in more detail why they felt Option 3 was wrong in principle. Also, they wished all Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton MPs to be asked to support their response on this matter.
Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Authority puts forward the following responses to the Government's questions:-
(a) Which of the options for the fire proposals do you prefer?
Option 2 is preferred as it is simplest and most firmly founded in current well-established arrangements for risk assessment. The Authority considers Option 3 in particular to be wrong in principle, as it rewards past inefficiencies and would introduce perverse incentives to spend more rather than being based on objective measures of need, and this option is strongly opposed. Also, it appears to contradict the Government's own stated purposes of achieving a fairer distribution and therefore needs to be rejected in principle.
(b) Are there any alternative or additional changes you would wish to see?
The Authority believes that fire service costs are largely driven by population. In the interests of simplicity and the most readily understandable link to the need to provide fire cover, the Authority would therefore expect more of the funding to be allocated via the basic amount per head of population and less via the top-ups to that.
(c) How far should the formula rely on weighted risk area?
If the formula does include an allocation according to risk area, it should be limited to `A' risk areas only, as the data is more robust, with the balance allocated via the basic amount for population.
(d) Which variants, if any, that are within Option 4 should be included?
Again in the interests of simplicity, comprehensibility and the preference for concentrating funding on the proven factors of population and `A' risk, the Authority believes that sparsity should not be included and that the Fire Safety top-up should be reduced to zero and not increased (this is consistent with the use of the revised formula funding and captures the relevant factors). It is not possible to comment on the technical charge to Pensions without further information.
(e) Should provision for Fire Safety be rolled back into the main formula?
Yes, as is consistent with the Authority's views above.
(ii) That all Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton MP's be asked to support the HFRA's stance on the matter.
103 DRAFT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2001/02
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the statement of accounts for 2001/02.
RESOLVED:
That the statement of HFRA accounts for 2001/02 be approved and, after final editing, the statement be published, once the external audit opinion has been obtained.
104 RESPONSE TO HER MAJESTY'S INSPECTOR OF FIRE SERVICE'S INSPECTION REPORT, OCTOBER, 2001
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the responses and actions arising out of Her Majesty Inspector of Fire Service's Inspection Report of the Authority last year.
RESOLVED:
That the responses and actions to the recommendations arising out of Her Majesty's Inspector of Fire Service's Inspection Report of the Authority in October, 2001 be endorsed.
105 OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY 2001/2002 : ANNUAL STATISTICS
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the statistics for operational activity for 2001/02.
106 THE PROMOTION OF DOMESTIC AND RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the Service policy to promote the use of sprinkler systems.
Members spoke in full support of the promotion of such systems and noted that the County Council had considered a motion on the matter at a recent meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and the Authority endorse the Fire Service policy to promote the use of sprinkler systems where currently no legislation exists to require them.
107 FIRE SERVICE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AND NATIONAL RADIO STRATEGY
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) about the new national procurement strategy for the replacement of fire service radio communications.
RESOLVED:
That the Authority confirms its commitment to the new national procurement strategy for the replacement of fire service radio communications.
108 INTEGRATED PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the appointment of the HFRA Members to be involved in the development of IPDS in the Service.
RESOLVED:
(i) That a working group of three Members (1:1:1) be appointed to meet on a periodic basis with officers of the HFRS Training Function to receive more detailed briefings on the development and implementation of an Integrated Personal Development System in the Service.
(ii) That the working group referred to in (i) above comprise of:-
Councillors
G. Semmens (deputy: K. Chapman)
Mrs. E.S.M. Barron (deputy: M. Gausden)
Labour Member and deputy; names to be notified to the Clerk.
109 SERVICE ORDER ON SUBSTANCE MISUSE
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 16 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the approach being taken by the Service on Substance Misuse.
Members were most concerned to learn of the misreporting of the submitted report by the Southern Evening Echo.
Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That the contents of the report be noted and the approach taken be endorsed.
(ii) That the Authority places on record its displeasure at the misreporting of this matter in the Southern Evening Echo and the alarmist stance put on the article by the reporter involved.
110 MINUTES OF BEST VALUE COMMITTEE - 19 JUNE, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Best Value Committee held on 19 June, 2002 (Item 17 in the Minute Book)
111 MINUTES OF PERSONNEL COMMITTEES - 19 JUNE, 2002 AND 18 SEPTEMBER, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Personnel Committee meetings held on 19 June and 18 September, 2002. (Items 18(i) and (18(ii) in the Minute Book).
112 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 10 JULY, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 10 July, 2002 (Item 19 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendations relating to Final Accounts 2001/02, Budget Monitoring and Property Maintenance Programme (Minutes 27, 28 and 31 respectively).
113 MINUTES OF STANDARDS COMMITTEE - 10 SEPTEMBER, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 10 September, 2002 (Item 20 in the Minute Book).
114 NOTES OF FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY - 18 JULY, 2002
The Authority received the notes of the Fairness and Dignity Group held on 18 July, 2002 (Item 21 in the Minute Book).
115 NOTES OF COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY - 14 MAY AND 12 AUGUST, 2002
The Authority received the notes of the Community Fire Safety Task Force meetings held on 14 May and 12 August 2002 (Items 22(i) and 22(ii) in the Minute Book).
116 COURSES AND CONFERENCES - FIRE 2002 ON 3-5 SEPTEMBER, 2002 AND CFA SEMINAR 18-19 SEPTEMBER, 2002
The Authority considered Members' attendances at these events in September, 2002.
RESOLVED:
That approval be given to Councillors M.F. Cartwright, J. Coles and Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott's attendances at the recent Fire 2002 Conference and Councillors Mrs. E.S.M. Barron and M.F. Cartwright's attendances at the recent CFA Seminar.
117 LGA GENERAL ASSEMBLY - 17 DECEMBER, 2002
The Authority considered appointing Members to this year's Assembly in December, 2002.
RESOLVED:
That the Chairman, together with Councillors Mrs. E.S.M. Barron, P. Luffman and Mrs. M.D. Snaith be appointed to attend the LGA General Assembly on 17 December, 2002.
118 PROGRAMME OF FUTURE MEETINGS
The Authority received the report of the Clerk (Item 25 in the Minute Book) setting out a revised programme of future HFRA and Committee meetings.
Members noted that the HFRA meeting that day clashed with the Liberal Democrat Party Conference and asked the Clerk to seek to avoid such a clash next year.
RESOLVED:
That the programme of future HFRA and Committee meetings be noted, subject to the Clerk seeking to avoid, if possible, any clash between next year's Party Political Conferences and the HFRA meeting in September, 2003.
119 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of Paragraph 8 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for Minute 120 below.
120 VARIATION TO VEHICLE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME
The Authority considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 27 in the Minute Book) on this matter.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Authority approves the variation to the vehicle replacement programme as set out in paragraph 2.5 of the submitted report.
(ii) That approval be given under Paragraph 42(1)(c) of Standing Orders relating to contracts to negotiate a single tender with Saxon Specialist Vehicles for the conversion of 2 Volvo pumping appliances to Schools Fire Safety Units (Key Stage II).
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