Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Item 12

Date 26 September 2001

Regional Collaboration - South Eastern Fire Service Group

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Contact:

David Howells, Director of Corporate Services

Tel: 023 8064 4000 Ext 203

1

Introduction

1.1

The Chairmen and Chief Fire Officers of fire authorities in the South East Region have been meeting on an informal basis over the last three years to discuss issues of mutual interest.

1.2

There has been discussion over many months about the status of the meetings and whether they should have any formal reporting relationship with the Local Government Association. The conclusion reached is that this should be a free-standing forum with its own constitution and called the "South Eastern Fire Service Group". Linkage with the Local Government Association (LGA) remains to be confirmed.

1.3

A copy of the latest draft of the proposed constitution for the Group is attached as Appendix `A'.

1.4

Although under "Representations" the draft constitution refers to "... the Group shall be entitled to appoint one Member to attend meetings...", it is expected that this would normally be the Chairman of the fire authority.

2

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

2.1

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Recommendations

1

That the Authority confirms its willingness to participate in meetings of the South Eastern Fire Service Group.

2

That the draft constitution attached as Appendix `A' to the report be endorsed for adoption by the Group.

3

That the Chairman be appointed as the Member representative on the Group.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report.

None

NB The list excludes:

1 Published works

2 Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act

Dir.fin HFRA 26 Sept 01 SE Fire Service Group

Appendix `A'

DRAFT CONSTITUTION FOR SOUTH EASTERN FIRE SERVICE GROUP

SOUTH EASTERN FIRE SERVICES GROUP

CONSTITUTION

Name

The Group shall be known as the SOUTH EASTERN FIRE SERVICE GROUP (hereinafter referred to as "the Group").

Region

The South Eastern Group Region comprises the geographical county areas of Royal Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex.

Membership

Each County or Combined Fire Authority in the region shall be members of the Group, if they so wish.

Objectives

To represent and promote the views and interests of the fire service in the region.

Representation

Each fire authority in membership of the Group shall be entitled to appoint one Member to attend meetings of the Group along with the Chief Fire Officer or their nominated representative. All those appointed shall be Members of the appointing authority.

Voting

Authorities shall be entitled to cast votes at meetings of the Group on the basis of one vote per authority.

In the case of an equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting shall have the casting vote in addition to any votes he or she may be entitled to cast as a member.

Chairman

At its Annual Meeting each year, the group shall appoint a Chairman.

Meetings of the Group

The Group shall hold an Annual Meeting in or around June.

The quorum of any meeting of the Group shall be not less than one-quarter of authorities in full membership of the Group

The Group shall designate venues for meetings. There will be at least 28 days notice of any meeting.

Minutes of meetings and a record of attendance shall be kept by the Secretariat.

Amendments to the Constitution

This constitution may be amended at a meeting of the Group subject to the agreement of two-thirds of the local authorities in full membership voting in favour of any amendment.

Resignation

Any member authority wishing to terminate its membership shall give not less than 28 days notice in writing to the Secretariat.

Dissolution

A motion for dissolution of the Group must be approved by two-thirds of local authorities in membership of the Group.

Dir.fin HFRA 26 Sept 01 SE Fire Service Group