AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY - FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at Fire Brigade Headquarters, Eastleigh on 30 October, 2002
PRESENT:
Councillors: P.A. Heath (Chairman); Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; M.F. Cartwright; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R.H. Price; P. Russell; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
33 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott.
34 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 July, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
35 BUDGET MONITORING 2002/03 (2)
The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Fire Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) setting out the 2002/03 budget position.
The Chief Fire Officer reported that it was his intention to carefully monitor costs attributed to any industrial action as a result of the firefighter's 2002 pay claim including both additional costs associated with preparing and dealing with any strike action.
Members supported this approach and made clear that they would also expect the Chief Fire Officer to net-off the additional costs incurred against any monies (in respect of pay deductions) handed back to the Office Of The Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).
The Committee were concerned at the reference in the report to legal fees being over budget by a projected £44,000 and noted that this was largely due to legal services used for employment law cases which were more than had been budgeted for. The Chief Fire Officer reported that currently a tendering exercise was underway for reviewing the cost of legal support for employment law issues and that the outcome of this would be reported to the Committee in due course.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the budget monitoring report be noted.
(ii) That the changes to the capital strategy values set out in Appendix B to the report be approved.
(iii) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority that any monies forwarded to Government as a result of savings made due to industrial action be net of any additional consequential costs incurred by the Authority relating to the same action and that the Local Government Association and CACFOA be informed of this decision and asked for their support.
36 HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE/HEADQUARTERS - ACCOMMODATION RATIONALISATION
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on options for the rationalisation and improvement of accommodation and training facilities at the Headquarters site.
During a full discussion Members supported in principle the first of the two options set out in the report but felt that before proceeding any further on this, other capital programme and asset management issues needed to be reviewed. As a way forward, Members felt that a Member Working Group should be established to develop an Asset Management Strategy for the Authority. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That an Asset Management Strategy Working Group of this Committee be established and that it comprise of - Councillors: PRC Hutcheson; R.H. Price; P. Russell and J. Stocks.
(ii) That the Working Group investigate in relation to the Option 1 scheme as set out in the report possible support from commercial users of the training centre; proposals that might facilitate use of SCA work and the priority to be given to this scheme against other capital building requirements.
(iii) That the Working Group also consider options for a partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to provide a second fire station in Basingstoke, including investigating whether any other Authority has accepted developers contributions from any previous or proposed development.
(iv) That the Chief Fire Officer prepare a report on the issues considered by the Working Group to a future meeting of this Committee.
37 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of Paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for Minute 38 below.
38 VEHICLE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME : 2003/04 TO 2005/06
The Committee considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the future vehicle replacement programme.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Vehicle Replacement Programme for 2003/04 to 2005/06 as set out in the report be approved in principle and that the funding implications be considered as part of the budget preparation process.
(ii) That the 2003/04 operational appliances, driver training vehicles and ancillary support vehicles be operationally leased.
4gM181102