Archived decisions

                      ITEM 13

    AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at The Fire Brigade Headquarters, Eastleigh on 3 April, 2002

PRESENT:

    Councillors: G. Semmens (Chairman); Mrs. A.E. Bailey; R. Baulk; Mrs. D. Harrison;

D. Horne; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; K.P.J. Searle; Mrs. P. West.

73 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bentley, Chapman and Gausden.

74 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13 February, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

75 PRINCE'S TRUST VOLUNTEERS (PTV) SCHEME

Councillor Kirk declared an interest in this matter as a Trustee on the Prince's Trust for Hampshire.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on proposals to engage the community more directly with the Fire Service with the introduction of a Prince's Trust Volunteers Scheme for the Southampton area, as part of HFRS Community Safety Strategy.

Members recognised the benefits of the scheme both within the Fire Service and externally, developing the skills of young persons.

RESOLVED:

That the Chief Fire Officer's decision to adopt the franchise for the Prince's Trust Volunteer Scheme for the Southampton area, as part of HFRS Community Safety Strategy be supported.

76 PERSONNEL AND COMMUNITY SAFETY WORK PLAN 2002/03

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on a revised planning process for the Personnel, Community Safety and Technical Fire Safety functions and the work plans which had been drawn up for the next 18 months and beyond.

Members noted that the work plans would be used as a pilot for the organisation and reviewed at corporate team level. Financial Standing Orders would be complied with and any financial irregularity would be notified to the 151 officer.


RESOLVED:

That the contents of the work plans as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted and the approach taken be endorsed.

77 INVESTIGATION SERVICES

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the adoption of a protocol for the use of private investigation services where fraudulent claims or activities were suspected.

Members noted that the Deputy Chief Fire Officer undertook the role of the Service Investigating Officer for the Authority and considered the implications and extent of each case before presenting his recommendation to the Chief Fire Officer.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority:

      (a) That the protocol as set out in Appendix 2 of the report and the use of private investigation services be adopted.

      (b) That the Chief Fire Officer, in consultation with the Clerk, be authorised to engage private investigation services where it is considered that it would be in the Authority's best legal and financial interests.

      (c) That the Chairman and/or Vice-Chairman of The Personnel Committee be advised of any decisions made by the Chief Fire Officer to engage such services.

      (d) That the use and costs of such services be reported for information to the Authority.

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