AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 14 September, 2005.
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); Mrs. A. Baker; R. Baulk; I. Beagley; K. Chapman; M. Cooper; L. Dunsdon; E.F. Gale MBE; P. Galton; D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; D. Horne; K. House; P.R.C. Hutcheson; H. Jones; R. Kimber; R.H. Price; D. Simpson; R. Smith; R. Williams; M.J. Woodhall.
18 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs. J. Frankum, D.A. Kirk, R. McIntosh and Sam Payne.
19 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or a personal prejudicial interest in any matters to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Fire Authority's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
There were no declarations of interest made by members under this item.
20 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 1 June, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to Councillor K. Chapman as Chairman of the Human Resources Committee being included as a member of CMT (Minute 9 refers).
Arising thereon:
Fire 2005 Conference at Manchester on 2 and 3 November, 2005
Pursuant to Minute 17(iii), it was noted that Councillor P. Heath was also to attend this Conference.
Appointment of Committees etc
Pursuant to Minute 9, the Clerk reported that in view of the statutory provisions regarding the constitution of Standards Committees, one councillor member required to be removed to achieve the correct councillor/independent member balance. The Clerk undertook to resolve this with appropriate members. The matter would be clarified at the next Authority meeting.
21 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations made under this item.
22 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
There were no Members' questions.
23 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported with sadness upon the deaths of Leading Firefighter Ian Thresh of Basingstoke Fire Station who had been involved in a road traffic collision whilst travelling to work on 27 August, 2005 and of Roy Earl a former Assistant Divisional Officer of HFRS on 13 September, 2005. Members and officers stood for a minutes silence as a mark of respect.
The Chairman referred to the new Fire Minister Jim Fitzpatrick's visit to Hampshire on 16 August, 2005, to his meeting with Assistant Divisional Officer Dave Lock, Fire Group Manager, East Hampshire and to his continuing visits to fire stations. He also reported on the setting up of the new management structure by the Local Government Association which would result in better representation for fire authorities. Finally, he made reference to having been Chairman of the Authority for five years and wished to put on record his thanks to Members and officers for their support over this time.
24 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the Group Areas.
25 REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD (RMB)
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) about the South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board meeting on 13 July, 2005. Also, a recent letter from Councillor D.J. Willmott Chairman of the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority was circulated at the meeting. It recognised the need for a full business case for the Regional Control Centre Project to be made available to fire and rescue authorities as soon as possible (Item 8(i) in the Minute Book).
Pursuant to Minute 10 of the last meeting of the Authority, it was confirmed that as part of this item there also would be the opportunity to consider the issues involving Regional Control Centres and the working arrangements of the Regional Management Board, including its pre-meetings.
The Liberal Democrat Spokesperson reported upon his attendance as an observer at both the RMB meeting on 13 July, 2005 and at the pre-meeting beforehand. He raised concerns about the existing arrangements for conducting RMB business and at the pre-meeting being held in private. The Chairman confirmed that the Board had been made fully aware of his views but that this was an issue for the Board itself to determine. The Liberal Democrat Spokesperson also made reference to the large number of ongoing RMB projects and at the additional workload and extra costs being incurred as a result by this and the other constituent fire and rescue authorities.
The Chief Officer reported the present position concerning the Authority's involvement in RMB projects and on the budgetary measures previously taken to cover this work. It was felt most important to keep Members fully briefed and the Chief Officer agreed to extend the existing briefing arrangements in relation to the RMB tasks and, at the same time, to continue to monitor those costs being incurred by the Authority on this work.
At this point in the meeting there was a full discussion on the proposed South East Regional Fire Control Centre. Members were unanimous in being deeply concerned that they had not, as yet, received from the ODPM a full business case for the project. Also, they continued to be unconvinced about its benefits and were unhappy at the effects the current uncertainty was having on existing HFRS Control Room staff. Members felt it was vital to have public consultation on the business case when it appeared and to be assured that, by reducing to nine Regional Control Centres, the strategic security of the UK would be maintained. Some Members felt the Authority should set a timescale for its concerns to be addressed after which it would consider withdrawing from the Project. However, this was not supported by the Authority.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the report on the 13 July, 2005 meeting of the South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board and the update on the Regional Control Centre project be noted.
(b) That this Authority is deeply concerned at the lack of a full published business case from the ODPM and re-affirms it will not be able to support Regional Control Centres until a convincing business case has been produced and subjected to public consultation, this to comprise the costs, estimated savings and where improved efficiency will take place, showing no loss of response times, safety for the people of Hampshire and covering the strategic security of the United Kingdom.
(c) That the Authority is particularly concerned that the business case does not adequately address the implications and costs of continuing to provide those functions that are not included in the scope of the Regional Control Centres.
(d) That the Clerk convey the Authority's abovementioned concerns to the ODPM, the Local Government Association, to all Hampshire MPs, to the Chief Executives of the Constituent Authorities and to the Chairman of the South East Regional Management Board.
[Note: Whilst being opposed to the Regional Management Board Project, Councillor R. Baulk was unable to support resolutions (b) and (c) above and asked that this be recorded in the Minute].
26 COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (CPA) 2005
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the first Comprehensive Performance Assessment by the Audit Commission of fire and rescue authorities in England. Members welcomed the "good" rating which the Authority had received and congratulated HFRS staff for their efforts. The Chairman also thanked Members for their valuable contributions and support.
As a way of making further improvements in efficiency but at the same time reducing costs, a Member asked that consideration to be given to reducing the number of Authority meetings held each year. Also, he questioned, in working towards e-government, whether a greater use ought not to be made of electronic systems.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Audit Commission's report on the outcome of its Comprehensive Performance Assessment of the Authority be formally received and that Members note the action being taken to address the areas for improvement as identified in the report.
(b) That the Authority congratulates the officers of HFRS on the results of the Corporate Performance Assessment and on the very considerable improvement that has been made in recent times and has every confidence this will continue in the future.
(c) That the Clerk prepare a report for CMT about the feasibility of reducing the existing number of Authority meetings each year.
27 PRESENTATIONS TO THE AUTHORITY ON THE INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN AND ON DIVISIONAL OFFICER MICK JOHN'S VISIT TO CHILE
(a) Integrated Risk Management Plan
The Authority received and noted a presentation by Dave Curry, Deputy Chief Officer on the process for producing the third Integrated Risk Management Plan covering the period 2006/07. Among the points highlighted were the aims and objectives and the timescales set for the new plan. A copy of the presentation appears as Item 10(a) in the Minute Book.
(b) Visit to Chile by Divisional Officer Mick Johns
The Authority received a presentation by Divisional Officer Mick Johns on his visit to Chile. It had been made at the request of the Valparaiso Fire Brigade, co-ordinated by the British Embassy in Chile, and jointly funded with the British Embassy. Members noted the various types of assistance which had been given and the training which had been provided and thanked Mr. Johns for his interesting presentation.
28 INTRODUCTION OF CORE VALUES : RESULTS OF CONSULTATION
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) about the introduction of various core values for the HFRA as a result of a consultation exercise.
RESOLVED:
That the Authority notes the findings of the consultation exercise and endorses the introduction of the following core values for the HFRA:
Service to the Community (by working with all groups to reduce risk, treating everyone fairly and with respect, being answerable to those being served and striving for excellence in all that is done);
People (by fairness and respect, recognition of merit, honesty, integrity and mutual trust, personal development and co-operative and inclusive working);
Diversity (by treating everyone fairly and with respect, providing varying solutions for different needs and expectations, promoting equal opportunities in employment and progression within the Service and challenging prejudice and discrimination) and
Improvement (by accepting responsibility for performance, being open-minded, considering criticism thoughtfully, learning from experience and consulting others).
29 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE FORMULA GRANT DISTRIBUTION CONSULTATION
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on a proposed response to the Government's consultation on Formula Grant Distribution.
The Treasurer reported orally on a further consultation paper which had been received on setting annual efficiency savings targets for the Fire Service. The paper suggested collaboration between fire authorities on the basis that some might save more and others less than the national average of 5% over the three years 2005/06 and 2007/08. However, clearer accountability was thought preferable through a single target for each authority. Accordingly, the Treasurer, in consultation with the Chief Officer, was authorised to reply to the additional consultation paper on that basis.
RESOLVED:
That the Treasurer to the Authority be authorised to respond to the Government's consultation on Formula Grant Distribution as set out in the appendix to the report.
30 PROGRAMME OF FUTURE MEETINGS
The Authority received and noted the report of the Clerk (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on the programme of future HFRA and Committee meetings. The Chairman asked that this item be taken to the Annual HFRA Meeting in May next year so as to enable the dates to be included as part of the County Council's Diary and Year Book which is published in the Autumn.
31 MINUTES OF PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE - 15 JUNE AND 7 SEPTEMBER, 2005
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review Committee meetings held on 15 June and 7 September, 2005 (Items 14(a) and 14(b) in the Minute Book). On Minute 18 Best Values Reviews 2005/06, it was noted that Councillors R.J. Baulk and David Simpson had now agreed to serve on the "Review of Partnerships Steering Group" and that Councillors D. Horne and Mrs. E. Baker would serve on the "Review of Service Level Agreements with Hampshire County Council Steering Group". The Authority also appointed Councillor M. Cooper as an additional Member to the second of these two Steering Groups.
32 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 26 JULY, 2005
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held on 26 July, 2005 (Item 15 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendation on budget monitoring 2005/06.
33 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - 26 JULY, 2005
The Authority received the Minutes of the Governance Committee meeting held on 26 July, 2005 (Item 16 in the Minute Book) and adopted recommendations (a), (b) and (c) on the constitutional status of the Corporate Management Team. However, it was noted that recommendation (d) "that consideration be given to a representative from the Performance Review Committee serving on the CMT" was not appropriate as Councillor K. Chapman already served on the CMT and was also a Member of the Performance Review Committee.
34 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 10 JUNE AND 8 SEPTEMBER, 2005
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meetings held on 10 June and 8 September, 2005 (Items 17(a) and 17(b) in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendations on a Revision to the Race Equality Scheme, on Discretionary Powers under Local Government (Discretionary Payments) Regulations etc, and on the outcome of a Senior Management Review.
35 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting for the following item of business.
36 HFRA GRIEVANCE APPEAL
The Authority received and noted the confidential report of the Clerk (Item 19 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of a HFRA Grievance Appeal held on 9 September, 2005.
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