AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters on

26 July 2005.

PRESENT:

Councillors: P.R.C. Hutcheson (Chairman); M. Cooper; D. Harrison; D.A. Kirk;

R. McIntosh; R. Smith and R. Williams

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M.F. Cartwright and
H. Jones.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of 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 of the Committee held on 8 March 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

4. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

5. CONSTITUTIONAL STATUS OF CORPORATE MANAGEMENT TEAM

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer and Clerk (Item 5 in the Minute Book) about the constitutional status of the Corporate Management Team (CMT).

In considering the report, the Committee were reminded that the following members currently attended the Corporate Management Team meetings;

M. F. Cartwright - Chairman

P. Galton - Minority Party Spokesperson

P. Heath - Vice-Chairman

R. Smith (Southampton) - Vice Chairman

K.Chapman - Chairman of Human Resources Committee

R. Price - Minority Party Spokesperson

D. Horne - Minority Party Spokesperson



Following discussion it was suggested that all members of the Authority should be sent a copy of the CMT agenda for information and it be recommended to the Authority that membership of CMT should be extended to include a representative from the Performance Review Committee.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority that;


(a) in acknowledging that the CMT, is not a formal decision making body of the Authority, it should remain as a non-executive, informal, joint (cross party) member/officer working group comprising senior members of the Authority and the principal officers of the Service;


(b) periodic bulletins on the items and issues that the CMT is currently dealing with be communicated to all members of the Authority via the Chief Officers Members' Update;


(c) CMT consider inviting other members of the Authority to its meetings if there are items on the agenda where the attendance of those members would be of particular mutual value;


(d) consideration be given to a representative from the Performance Review Committee sitting on the CMT;


(e) the Clerk ensures that the Terms of Reference for CMT are appropriately amended to reflect the revisions set out in the recommendations.

6. EXTERNAL AUDIT AND INSPECTION PLAN 2005/06

The Committee considered the Audit Commission's 2005/06 Audit and Inspection Plan (Item 6 in the Minute Book) in relation to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. Russell Reeve of the Audit Commission made a presentation to Members outlining the key areas of the plan.

RESOLVED:

That Russell Reeve of the Audit Commission be thanked for his presentation and the Audit and Inspection Plan for 2005/06 be noted.

7. ANNUAL INTERNAL AUDIT OPINION

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) about the Internal Audit Opinion for 2004/05.

The Internal Audit Opinion showed that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority had an effective framework of control that provided reasonable assurance regarding the effective, efficient and economic achievement of the Authority's objectives. Audit testing had also shown controls to be generally working in practice. Where improvements to controls were required, the internal audit was satisfied that appropriate action had been agreed by relevant managers and that they would be resolved in an appropriate manner.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the level of assurance on the control framework, based on audit testing,

within Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, be noted.

(b) That the main risks identified during the year be noted.

8. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE POLICY AND CODE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE; PROGRESS REPORT ON COMPLIANCE

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing the first comprehensive review of compliance which showed that there were few, if any, causes for concern and that the conclusion reached was that the Authority was at very good level of compliance.

RESOLVED:

That the statement of the level of compliance with the Authority's Code of Corporate Governance as set out in appendix 1 to the report be approved.

9. PROGRESS REPORT ON DEALING WITH REQUESTS MADE BY THE COMMISSION FOR RACIAL EQUALITY CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY'S RACE EQUALITY SCHEME

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) about progress in dealing with requests made by the Commission for Racial Equality concerning the Authority's Race Equality Scheme.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the work undertaken since December 2004 to ensure that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service was in a position to discharge its statutory duties regarding race equality be noted.


(b) That the arrangements Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service put in place to ensure equality and diversity be performance managed in the future be noted.

10. DRAFT STATEMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL 2004/05

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) explaining the actions the Authority had undertaken to provide financial management assurance.

RESOLVED:

That the draft statement of internal control for signature by the Chairman and Chief Officer be approved.