Item 2
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE AUTHORITY PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on 15 June, 2005.
PRESENT:
Councillors: D. Kirk (Chairman); Mrs. E. Baker; R. Baulk; K. Chapman; L. Dunsdon; D. Simpson; R. Williams
1. APOLOGIES
No apologies for absence were received under this item.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or 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.
3. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
4. DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations received under this item.
5. PROGRESS REPORT AND THE ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE PREVIOUS BEST VALUE REVIEW OF PROCUREMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing progress on the actions taken to meet the recommendations made in the previously conducted Best Value Review of Procurement.
It was reported that following the appointment of the Procurement Officer good progress had been made towards meeting the recommendations of the Best Value Review. It was noted that the Procurement Officer would be invited to next meeting of the Committee.
Discussion also took place on how procurement initiatives were, or might in the future help to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of their communities.
RESOLVED:
That the actions taken towards meeting the recommendations listed in the Review of Procurement be approved.
6. BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (BVPI) AND LOCAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (LPI)
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) containing highlights of the Performance Indicators data for the final quarter of 2004/05 and the year outturn.
The Committee were informed that in response to comments made in the draft Corporate Performance Assessment (CPA) discussion document, the Senior Management Team (SMT) had reduced the number of indicators to provide enhanced strategic focus.
In considering LPI 20 (Speed of response to all emergency incidents), it was noted that the Performance Review Team were looking into the possibility of introducing a new LPI based on average response times.
In considering BV149 (False alarms caused by automatic fire detection apparatus per 1,000 non-domestic properties), the Committee expressed concern about the inappropriate use of resources attending false alarms. It was noted that the fire service was committed to working in partnership with Industry and Commerce in order to identify ways to reduce the number of false alarms.
RESOLVED:
That the performance of the service be noted and the strategies to meet the target set be endorsed.
7. RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS ARISING FROM INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the Internal Audit Action report which showed no outstanding actions.
RESOLVED:
That the Internal Audit Action report be accepted and further progress reports on ongoing and overdue actions be submitted to future meetings of the Committee.
8. PROGRESS REPORT ON THE BEST VALUE REVIEW OF VEHICLE WORKSHOPS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing the Action Plan for the previously conducted Best Value Review of Vehicle Workshops. The report also sought two Member nominations to work with officers on implementing the Action Plan.
In considering the Action Plan two points of clarification were made concerning the following recommendations:
2.6 fitment of mobile phones hands free kits:officers and non uniform - it was noted that the fitment of mobile phones was already outsourced to an external supplier. However in respect of vehicles requiring radio, blue light and two tone fitments, it was economic to fit the mobile phone at the same time.
2.14.2 `fit out' and modification methods - it was noted that `pegboards' style stowage to `fit out' appliances was more appropriate than `pegboards'.
RESOLVED:
a. That the Action Plan be approved and regular progress reports be submitted to the Committee.
b. That Councillors K. Chapman and R. Price be appointed to work with officers (Deputy Chief Officer, one member of the Performance Review Team, Fleet Manager and Workshops Manager) on implementing the Action Plan.
9. BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN 2005/06
The Chief Officer reported that the service intended to carry out two reviews commencing in 2005 using a "best value" approach and review methodology. These would be to :-
i. Examine the effectiveness of current partnership arrangements and make recommendations on how these could be improved to help fulfil the Authority's corporate aims.
ii. Examine the effectiveness and value for money of the Authority's current contracts for services and service level agreements with Hampshire County Council. Identify how the arrangements to deliver these Support Services might be improved in the future.
It was reported that due to a lack of in-house capacity to undertake the work and because the nature of the reviews lent themselves to being conducted from an external perspective, work was underway to identify possible external consultants to assist with both reviews. It was also reported that two Steering Groups with member involvement would be set up in due course.
RESOLVED:
That the proposals of the Chief Officer be approved.