Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY - BEST VALUE COMMITTEE held at Fire Brigade Headquarters, Eastleigh on 3 April, 2002
PRESENT:
Councillors D.A. Kirk (Chairman); Mrs. E.M.S. Barron; M.F. Cartwright; G. Semmens.
9 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chapman, Gausden and Russell.
10 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 December, 2001 were agreed.
On Minute 7, on The Best Value Review of Control and Communications, it was noted that the report had been redrafted and circulated to Members. As no further comments had been received, the report had been finalised and a copy sent to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Fire Services.
On Catering, it was noted that the Chairman was personally reviewing the progress of this Review.
11 PRODUCTION OF THE CORPORATE PLAN (INCORPORATING BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN) AND SUMMARY PLAN - PROGRESS REPORT
The Chief Fire Officer reported that discussions had been held with the District Auditor to determine the requirements for publishing the plan. The District Auditor had provided guidance notes and advised that the Plan could be published in an electronic format provided all other criteria were met. Hard copies of the plan would be made available on request and full instructions given to libraries and other public information points on how to access the Plan on the Authority's website.
It was noted that the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Authorities Association's Best Value Network was actively looking at libraries to provide a "Local Government corner" (which should include the Authority's website address) to encourage library users to access key documents electronically.
The Chief Fire Officer also reported on a request acceded to by Southampton City Council to incorporate a summary of the Authority's Best Value Performance Plan in the "Southampton - your City Services" leaflet. Copies of the leaflet were circulated for information. It was noted that the Summary (Item 3 in the Minute Book) had also been incorporated in Portsmouth City Council's "Flagship magazine and distributed with the County Council's "Hampshire Now" magazine as a supplement to all householders in Hampshire. An assurance had been given that next year the Authority summary would form an integral part of the publication. It was noted that the Community Fire Safety message had been included in all publications with the exception of the Southampton leaflet.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
12 PROPERTY SERVICES BEST VALUE SCOPING STUDY
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on the Best Value Scoping Study of Property Services.
The Chief Fire Officer was pleased to report that the fees paid for Professional Services were either below or within an acceptable range of comparable charges. The service represented good value for money because the Authority was fortunate in being able to share in clear economies of the scale of Hampshire County Council's operation and benefit from various extensions of basic services (such as the maintenance of a secure property deeds store).
A customer survey of tenants and staff had been carried out and a generally positive reaction had been received from the users of the Authority's properties
The Committee noted that one area which did need improving was the flow of information. Regular updates on programmes of repair and maintenance works and related spending were needed. An updated condition survey of buildings was expected on which a new programme of works would be based.
The Treasurer reported that when the new SAP system was rolled out the HFRS would have improved access to budget and expenditure information.
RESOLVED:
That the recommendations and proposed actions summarised - paragraphs 4.1 to 4.4.4 of the report together with the need to carry out an annual condition survey on the built estate be endorsed and approved for implementation subject to minor wording changes.
13 PROCUREMENT BEST VALUE REVIEW - PROGRESS REPORT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the latest draft of the Best Value Review of Procurement. Members noted the report but agreed that a copy should be circulated to all members of the Best Value Committee with a request that any comments or amendments should be forwarded to the Deputy Chief Fire Officer (Operations/Training), Alan House.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the recommendations summarised on page 2 of the report be noted and following any further comments from members a final report together with a management action plan be produced for the next meeting to detail how each recommendation would be implemented.
(b) That the Committee monitors implementing the recommendations of the Best Value Procurement Review at future meetings.
14 PUBLIC FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS - ST. MARY'S FIRE STATION ON 7 FEBRUARY, 2002
The notes of the public focus group meeting were received (Item 6 in the Minute Book).
Senior Divisional Officer, Philip Webb, reported that this focus group meeting had been the 3rd and final one in the consultation programme for the financial year 2001/02. He also reported that HFRS was hosting a group of blind people on 7 April. This was a unique opportunity to gather information about the fire safety needs of this particularly vulnerable group in Society. The information gathered would be shared with other fire brigades.
15 SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER, PHILIP WEBB
The Chairman reported that this was SDO, Philip Webb's last meeting before he retired from the uniformed ranks. He thanked Phillip for the work carried out on behalf of the Authority and in particular for the work involved in the Best Value Reviews.
The Committee endorsed the Chairman's remarks and noted that Philip would be remaining in the Service in a non-uniformed capacity to head up the Performance Review Team.
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