Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY - FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at Fire Brigade Headquarters, Eastleigh on 24 October, 2001
PRESENT:
Councillors: Mrs. M.D. Snaith (Chairman); Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; M.F. Cartwright;
J.E. Coles; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; P.R. Hutcheson; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; R.H. Price;
J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
7 THE LATE COUNCILLOR S. LEYLAND
The Authority paid tribute at the meeting to former Councillor S. Leyland who had died that morning after serving, with much distinction, as a County Councillor for twenty years.
8 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from P. Russell and W.H. Wheeler.
9 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 July, 2001 were, subject to comments below, confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Final Accounts and Budget Monitoring 2001/02 (Minutes 4 and 5)
The Clerk reported that Minute 4 Final Accounts 2000/01 and Minute 5(a)
Budget Monitoring 2001/02 should have been recommendations to the Authority. He confirmed that they had been discussed and approved by the Authority on 26 September 2001.
10 COPNOR FIRE STATION AND B DIVISION HEADQUARTERS - MAJOR BUILDING DEFECTS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on progress in dealing with the structural problems at Copnor Fire Station.
The Chief Fire Officer reported that since writing the report, he had received confirmation from Portsmouth City Council that they wished to work together with the HFRA on a development brief to achieve the best possible options. The Committee discussed in detail the use of the site and, although it was considered important to progress this matter at the earliest opportunity, it was agreed that further advice and costings on providing both a temporary and long term solution to the problems will need to be sought.
RESOLVED:
(i) That in view of the urgent need to resolve issues associated with the major building defects at the Copnor Fire Station, the Chief Fire Officer be authorised to commit capital expenditure to a value not exceeding £100,000 to provide temporary accommodation for displaced staff at other service sites.
(ii) That the Chief Fire Officer seek further advice from the Authority's Estates Surveyors with a view to submitting an outline planning application for residential development on the site.
(iii) Recommendation to the Authority:
That the detailed cost of resolving the Copnor building problems and wider accommodation needs for long-term organisational development of the service, be presented to the Authority at its meeting in May, 2002.
11 PROPOSED NEW FIRE STATION, CARPENTERS DOWN, CHINEHAM, BASINGSTOKE - FEASIBILITY REPORT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on a feasibility report produced by Hampshire County Council's Architecture and Design Services.
The Committee discussed in detail the costs associated with the scheme and noted that confirmation of the likely cost of some idea of fees, fit out costs and associated revenue implications would be necessary at a later stage to provide a more complete estimate of provisional costs.
Recommendation to the Authority:
(i) That the scheme to provide a second fire station in Basingstoke be considered by the Authority for inclusion in the capital programme in 2004/05 (or 2005/06 if the level of borrowing approvals is insufficient in 2004/05).
(ii) That the Chief Fire Officer arranges, within 6 months, an all-party meeting with Dr. Alan Whitehead (the Minister responsible for the Fire Service) to discuss the capital funding of Combined Fire Authorities and the particular issues concerning capital development faced by the Authority.
12 BUDGET FOR THE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer and County Treasurer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the budget for the repair and maintenance of buildings.
The Committee noted that results from the updated condition survey had not yet been received and that this would be updated on an annual basis in future. The outcomes and recommendations arising from the condition survey costs would need to be fully costed and priorities for action determined.
The Committee agreed that funding a programme of planned maintenance should be a major priority when determining future budget needs.
Recommendation to the Authority:
(i) That the budget for the repair and maintenance of buildings be increased substantially in order to sustain a reasonable programme of planned maintenance; and that the Authority be requested to consider this as a major priority when drafting its revenue budget for the next three years.
(ii) That the schemes to adapt/refurbish toilet facilities at C and B Division Headquarters, be approved and proceed on the basis that they are supported by supplementary credit approval to a value of £22,000 (C Division) and £51,000 (B Division).
13 BUDGET MONITORING 2001/02
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer and County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out the 2001/02 budget position.
Recommendation to the Authority:
(i) That the increased insurance costs less the likely savings on the maintenance of the command and control system amounting to a net £82,000, be held against any future savings on pensions.
(ii) That a further assessment of the need to make additional savings, together with any action required as a result, be made when the revised budget is reported in December.
14 EXCLUSION OF THE 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 during consideration of the matter contained in Minute 15 below:-
15 VEHICLE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME 2002/03 TO 2004/05
The Committee considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) about vehicle replacement needs for the 3 year period 2002/03 to 2004/05.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the vehicle replacement programme for 2002/03 to 2004/05, as set out in this report, be approved in principle and that the funding implications be addressed as part of the budget preparation process.
(ii) That tenders for the pumping appliances identified in the report, be invited on the basis of a 1 and 3 year supply and if it is in the best interests of the Authority, be let on the basis of the 3 year contract.
(iii) That the 2002/03 pumping appliances and support vehicles be operationally leased.
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