Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item

5 December 2001

Reviews of Fire Cover: Basingstoke, Winchester, Portsmouth -

Progress Report

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

1

Introduction

1.1

The Corporate Plan sets out the programme of reviews of fire cover. Three reviews have recently been completed and a presentation will be made at the meeting.

2

Basingstoke

2.1

The outcomes of the review were presented to the Authority in September 2000 with the recommendation that a second fire station was required to serve the Basingstoke and surrounding area. A feasibility report for a proposed new fire station at Carpenters Down, Chineham, was presented to the Finance and General Purposes Committee on 24 October 2001. A full project appraisal will be presented to the Authority once it has been established when the scheme can be accommodated in the Capital Programme.

3

Winchester

3.1

The review has confirmed that no changes to the current station location and crewing arrangements are necessary for the time being. However, the area should be reviewed again in 5 years time to consider carefully the effectiveness of the day crewing arrangements at Winchester. Further consideration will also be given at the time of the next review to the suitability of the existing station buildings. Built in April 1957, the accommodation has served well but does not fully meet the needs of today's service.

4

Portsmouth

4.1

A review of cover on Portsea Island has shown that, utilising in full the existing resources, the area can be served by two, rather than three, fire stations. The existing Copnor Fire Station is not required to meet future operational needs. The area does still require the existing number of fire appliances but these can be deployed effectively from the existing Cosham and Southsea Fire Stations and still meet and exceed the expected standards of cover. The existing station at Southsea is well located and is appropriate to serve the area for many years. The existing Cosham Fire Station can continue to meet foreseeable needs, but the building is of a similar age to Copnor and will eventually need replacing at or near to the existing location.

4.2

A public meeting to discuss the findings of the review is to be held on 27 November at the Hilsea Lido, Portsmouth, commencing at 1900 hours.

4.3

A presentation will be made at the meeting to provide up to date information on the outcomes of the public consultation exercise.

5

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

5.1

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

The update on Basingstoke is noted.

2

That no change is necessary to the area covered by the existing Winchester Fire Station but that the suitability of the existing fire station be reviewed again in 2007/2008.

3

That the progress being made in respect of the Portsmouth review be noted.