Archived decisions

      AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY - FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at the Fire Brigade Headquarters, Eastleigh on 16 January, 2002.

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.C. Hutcheson; Mrs A.M. McNair Scott; R.H. Price; P. Russell; Royston Smith; J. Stocks; W.H. Wheeler; M.J. Woodhall.

Also in attendance were Councillors A. Bentley and G. Semmens.

16. THE LATE JACK MAYNARD

The Authority paid tribute at the meeting to the late former Chairman of Hampshire County Council, Jack Maynard, who had recently died. He had served as a County Councillor for 16 years, and during this period spent two terms as Chairman of the County Council and became an Honorary Alderman in 1997.

17. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to Councillor Royston Smith's attendance being recorded.

18. BUDGET MONITORING 2001/02

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer and Treasurer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) setting out the 2001/02 budget position after the first nine months of the financial year.

The Treasurer reported that coding difficulties with supplies and purchases had now been corrected though the payroll element of the new financial system which had recently been implemented, had also presented coding difficulties. These were being investigated.

It was noted that the Authority was facing a very high number of incidents, which were general increases across the board and would be monitored.

RESOLVED:

    That the budget monitoring report be noted.

19. BUDGET 2002/03

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer and Treasurer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on the draft budget 2002/03.

The Treasurer reported that in accordance with the resolution of the Authority on 5 December, 2001 consultation meetings had been offered to the constituent authorities. Two meetings had been held with Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council. Comments received on the proposals had indicated preference for an increase closer to the base budget. Appendix 3 to the report set out the Chief Fire Officer's initial growth proposals together with revised proposals indicating the impact on spending at the level of an 8% increase in 2002/03, 9% in 2003/04 and 10% in 2004/05. It was noted that the level of expected credit approvals had been notified.

During the discussion, the Committee noted the changes made to the draft budget particularly in the proposals for growth. Concerns were expressed about some of the reductions proposed but the balance between growth requirements and constituent Authorities' ability to pay was considered reasonable at the 8% level.

Members noted that the Service had not benefited from any specific grants from government in the same way as, for example, have Education, Social Services and Police.

Accordingly, the Committee considered that strong representations should be made to Central Government for further funding to help to deal with the additional pressures placed on Fire and Rescue Authorities.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority.

    (i) That the indicative budget and the levies set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report be confirmed, leading to an increase of 8% in the Authority's budget for 2002/03.

    (ii) That the final budget and levies be determined at its meeting on 6 February 2002.

    (iii) That the capital programme as set out in Appendix 2 be approved.

    (iv) That as set out in Appendix 5 to the report

        · An overall borrowing limit be fixed at £10.604 million for the year ending 31 March 2003.

        · A short term borrowing limit be fixed at £8.054 million for the year ending 31 March 2003.

        · The proportion of interest paid rates which can be varied by the level of external factors be set at 35% for the year ending 31 March 2003.

    (v) That representations be made to the Government highlighting particular pressures on Fire and Rescue Services which would justify additional funding.

20. 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 21 below.

21. DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS HOUSING: HAVANT FIRE STATION

Councillor Semmens spoke on this item in opposition to the proposed disposals.

The Committee considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) concerning the disposal of two service houses surplus to operational requirements.

The Chief Fire Officer reported that, having consulted the Clerk, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Authority on this matter, in accordance with the terms of the delegates authority, a difference in views had been expressed. The matter was therefore being referred to the Committee for further consideration.

RESOLVED:

      (i) That this matter be determined by the Committee and not the Chief Fire Officer.

      (ii) That the disposal details of the two service houses be agreed.

      (iii) That the capital receipts be utilised to provide an additional house to support the day crewing duty system, referred to in paragraph 3.1 of the report.

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