Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 6 February, 2002.
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); Mrs. A.E. Bailey; Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; R. Baulk; A. Bentley; K. Chapman; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; Mrs. D. Harrison; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; R.H. Price; P. Russell; G. Semmens; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; Mrs. P. West.
52 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K.P.J. Searle, W.H. Wheeler and M.J. Woodhall.
53 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 5 December, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Review of Fire Cover - Basingstoke/Winchester/Portsmouth (Minute 38)
At the request of a Member the Chief Fire Officer undertook to prepare a report for the next meeting of the Authority on progress generally with regard to the review of fire cover in Hampshire.
54 DEPUTATIONS
The Authority received the following 4 deputations opposing the proposed closure of Copnor Fire Station (Minute 55 refers).
(i) Kelvin Bains - local resident
(ii) Rob Chamberlane and Sylvia Roe - local residents
(iii) Brian Richardson and Mike Park - local resident and local Councillor
(iv) Harry Williams - Fire Brigades Union
55 REVIEW OF FIRE COVER - FUTURE OF COPNOR FIRE STATION
The Chairman reported that prior to the meeting letters, e-mails and a petition containing 3500 signatures had been received from Mike Hancock CBE MP, Councillor Phil Shaddock and other residents of Portsmouth opposing the proposed closure of the Copnor Fire Station.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer A. House gave a presentation on the public and other consultation meetings and responded to the main issues which had been raised. Also, he reported upon the "timed-runs" in which various members of the Authority, Fire Brigades representatives Union and Fire Station personnel had participated to verify the data upon which the Chief Fire Officer had based his conclusions.
After the presentation, the Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the review of fire cover in the Copnor area.
During a full and detailed discussion the Authority paid tribute to the Chief Fire Officer and his staff for the professional way in which they had conducted the review. However, some Members were concerned about the extent of the consultation process within the areas of Portsmouth affected and felt better publicity might have been given to this review. The Authority recognised that if the Copnor Fire Station was to close the response times for the Copnor area would continue to meet national standards but nevertheless felt the strong opposition from the residents of Portsmouth should be an important consideration. As a result an alternative proposal was made at the meeting. This was to delay the closure of Copnor Fire Station and the transfer of its resources until such time that a new fire station could be built in the north of the City.
The required number of Members, pursuant to Standing Order 14(3), signified their support for the voting on the amendment to be recorded to show how each Member present voted.
Members supporting amendment:
Mrs. A.E. Bailey; Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; A. Bentley; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; D. Horne; R. McIntosh; R.H. Price; P. Russell.
Total: 10
Members opposing amendment:
R. Baulk; M.F. Cartwright; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.R.C. Hutcheson; D.A. Kirk; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; G. Semmens; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; Mrs. P. West.
Total: 10
The amendment was lost on the casting vote of the Chairman.
Members abstaining:
None.
At this point the Authority voted on the proposed closure of the Copnor Fire Station and, pursuant to Standing Order 14(3), signified their support for the voting on this item to be recorded to show how each Member present voted.
Members opposing:
Mrs. A.E. Bailey; Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; A. Bentley; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; D. Horne; R. McIntosh; R.H. Price; P. Russell; G. Semmens.
Total 11.
Members supporting:
R. Baulk; M.F. Cartwright; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.R.C. Hutcheson; D.A. Kirk; Mrs A.M. McNair-Scott; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; Mrs. P. West.
Total 9.
Members abstaining:
None.
Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That no application be made under Section 19 of the Fire Services Act to close the Copnor Fire Station or to transfer existing operational personnel and appliances to Southsea Fire Station.
(ii) That the Chief Fire Officer report to the next meeting of the Authority on the implications and proposed way forward as a result of the decision taken in (i) above.
56 BUDGET 2002/03
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Fire Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the proposed budget for 2002/03.
In supporting the proposed budget, Members agreed that it should be adjusted to allow retained firefighters to be paid for their involvement in Community Safety initiatives which it was estimated would cost £10,000 in 2002/03.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the 2002/03 budget, as detailed in the report, be approved in full and that the following amounts be levied from the constituent authorities:-
£'000
Hampshire County Council 38,940
Portsmouth City Council 4,728
Southampton City Council 5,199
______
48,867
(ii) That approval be given to the capital programme as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.
(iii) That approval be given to the borrowing limits set out in Appendix 5 to the report.
(iv) That a letter be sent to the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions highlighting the particular pressures on Fire and Rescue Services which would justify additional funding.
57 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 16 JANUARY, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 16 January, 2002 (Item 7 in the Minute Book).
58 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS AND INCIDENTS OF INTEREST - NOVEMBER 2001 - JANUARY, 2002
(i) The Authority paid tribute at the meeting to the late former Chairman of Hampshire County Council Jack Maynard, who had recently died. As well as serving as a County Councillor for sixteen years he had also been an Honorary Alderman.
(ii) The Chairman reported on recent functions including Long Service Medal Award and Recruits Passing-Out Ceremonies. He congratulated Mrs. E.S.M. Barron on being appointed a Non-Executive Director at the Fire Service College. Also, it was noted that the Association of Building Engineers was making an award to HFRS on 18 February, 2002 for its work in persuading developers to fit hard-wired smoke alarms in children's bedrooms.
(iii) The Chief Fire Officer reported that the official opening of the new St. Mary's Fire Station in Southampton would take place on 27 March, 2002 and that Members would be invited to attend. Also, he reported that Ian Evans, Head of the National Community Fire Safety Centre at the DTLR, would be attending the next meeting of the Authority in May to give a presentation on the work of the Centre.
(iv) The Authority received and noted a report by the Chief Fire Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on a number of notable fire and rescue incidents since the last meeting.
59 MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on a proposed model Code of Conduct for Members.
RESOLVED:
That the Authority adopt the Statutory Model Code of Conduct for Members with immediate effect.
60 ESTABLISHMENT OF A STANDARDS COMMITTEE
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 9 in the Minute Book) about the establishment of a HFRA Standards Committee.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Standards Committee be established as a formal Committee of the Authority and comprise of Councillors M. Gausden; J. Stocks; Mrs. P. West; W.H. Wheeler and M.J. Woodhall.
(ii) That Wendy Burton and Sandra Roberts be appointed as the two independent members to serve on the Standards Committee for a period of 4 years expiring in February, 2006.
(iii) That Councillor M.J. Woodhall be appointed Chairman and Mrs. P. West appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee.
(iv) That approval be given to the terms of reference and frequency of meetings as set out in the report.
61 SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS TO STANDING ORDERS
At the request of Members, it was
RESOLVED:
That this item be deferred to the next meeting.
62 RECOGNITION OF EXCEPTIONAL PAST MEMBER SERVICE
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 11 in the Minute Book) about possible recognition of exceptional past member service.
In supporting the principle of such recognition Members felt that each case should be dealt with individually and that careful thought would need to be given to the type of keepsake which might be appropriate.
Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
That approval in principle be given to recognising exceptional past Member service and that any such nominated person be first agreed by the political group leaders on the Authority and the Chairman before being recommended to the Authority for approval.
63 VACANCY ON PERSONNEL COMMITTEE AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW COMMITTEE VICE-CHAIRMAN
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on these two matters.
RESOLVED:
(i) That Councillor R. Baulk be appointed to fill the Conservative Group vacancy on the Personnel Committee.
(ii) That Councillor K. Chapman be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Personnel Committee.
64 JOB EVALUATION - PROGRESS REPORT
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) about a revised grading structure for the Service.
The Chief Fire Officer reported that the outcome of the Trade Union ballot on the job evaluation scheme and grading structure had been in favour of the proposed new grading structure.
RESOLVED:
That approval in principle be given to implement the revised grading structure with effect from 1 March, 2002.
65 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRESS REPORT
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on the final update on actions taken following the Health and Safety Executive inspection/audit of HFRS during September, 2000.
RESOLVED:
(i) That items 4,6 and 7 from the Health and Safety Executive key recommendations as set out in the report be carried over into the new workplan for Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare.
(ii) That future health and safety updates be made twice-yearly to the Authority in the form of (a) an annual strategic plan and (b) an annual performance report.
66 MINUTES OF BEST VALUE COMMITTEE - 19 DECEMBER, 2001
The Authority received the Minutes of the Best Value Committee held on 19 December, 2001 (Item 15 in the Minute Book).
67 NOTES OF FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY GROUP - 17 JANUARY, 2002
The Authority received the notes of the Fairness and Dignity Group held on 17 January, 2002 (Item 16 in the Minute Book).
68 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for Minute 69.
69 USE OF PRIVATE SECTOR LEGAL ADVICE
Pursuant to Minute 36 of the last meeting, the Authority considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 18 in the Minute Book) on this matter.
RESOLVED:
That the Authority note the costs involved in engaging specialist legal advice this year and endorse the overall strategy of the Chief Fire Officer to manage these risks in the future.
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