Archived decisions
Item 2
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 22 May, 2002.
PRESENT:
Mrs. A.E. Bailey; R. Baulk; A. Bentley; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; 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; K.P.J. Searle; G. Semmens; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
70 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. E.S.M. Barron and W.H. Wheeler.
71 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED:
That Councillor M.F. Cartwright be appointed Chairman until the Annual Meeting of the Authority in 2003.
72 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMEN
RESOLVED:
That Councillors P.A. Heath and G. Semmens be appointed Vice-Chairmen until the Annual Meeting of the Authority in 2003.
73 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 6 February, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Review of Fire Cover (Minute 53)
The Chief Fire Officer reported that it was his intention to refer to progress on the review of Fire Cover in Hampshire as part of the Copnor Fire Station and B Division - Major Building Defects item due for consideration at the additional meeting on 6 June, 2002.
74 PRESENTATION ON NATIONAL COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY CENTRE
The Authority received a presentation by Ian Evans of the Department of Transport Local Government and Regions on the National Community Fire Safety Centre and its role to seek to reduce accidental fires in the home.
Members noted details about the Centre's organisation, its recent awareness campaigns, involvement in community fire and other safety initiatives together with its long-term programme. A copy of the presentation material appears as Item 5 in the Minute Book.
Following a question and answer session, the Authority thanked Mr. Evans for his interesting and informative presentation. The Chief Fire Officer added his appreciation of the Centre's work and paid tribute to the good working relationship which it had developed with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
75 DEPUTATION
The Authority waived Standing Order 17(6) to permit local Portsmouth City Councillor M. Park to make a deputation on Copnor Fire Station to this meeting notwithstanding that he had also made a deputation to the last meeting.
Councillor Park spoke against the Authority revisiting the operational need for the Copnor Fire Station in view of the decision it had taken on 6 February, 2002 (Minute 55 refers).
76 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 24 APRIL, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 24 April, 2002 (Item 7 in the Minute Book) and considered the recommendations for dealing with the major building defects at Copnor Fire Station and B Division. Also, the Clerk undertook to add Councillor R. Price to the names of those shown as present at the meeting.
During a full discussion on the merits or otherwise of including the option to revisit the operational need for the Copnor Fire Station, the Authority supported the proposal for an additional meeting on 6 June, 2002 and felt that at that meeting they should have before them details relating to the earlier Fire Cover Review in Basingstoke. Also, they agreed that those persons who had made a deputation on Copnor Fire Station at the meeting on 6 February, 2002 should be allowed, if they so wished, to give a further deputation on 6 June.
The required number of members, pursuant to Standing Order 14(3), signified their support for the voting on the three Finance and General Purposes Committee recommendations, to show how each Member present voted.
Members supporting recommendation (i)
Mrs. A.E. Bailey; R. Baulk; A. Bentley; M.F. Cartwright J. Chapman; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; 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; K.P. Searle; G. Semmens; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
Total 23 (unanimous)
Members supporting recommendation (ii)
R. Baulk; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; P.R.C. Hutcheson; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
Total: 13
Members opposing recommendation (ii):
Mrs. A.E. Bailey; A. Bentley; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; D. Horne; R.H. Price; P. Russell; K.P.J. Searle; G. Semmens.
Total: 10
Members abstaining:
None.
Members supporting recommendation (iii):
Mrs. A.E. Bailey; R. Baulk; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; J.E. Coles; M. Gausden; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; 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; K.P.J. Searle; G. Semmens; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
Total 23 (unanimous).
77 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS AND INCIDENTS OF INTEREST
(i) The Chairman welcomed Councillor P.A. Heath who had replaced Councillor Mrs. P. West on the Authority and congratulated Councillors P.R.C. Hutcheson and Mrs. M.D. Snaith on their appointments as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively of the County Council. Members were sorry to learn that Councillor W.H. Wheeler had been in hospital and the Clerk was asked to write on behalf of the Authority to wish him a speedy recovery.
(ii) The Chairman reported on his attendance at the LGA Conference in March and other meetings at which "Precepting", PFI's and the 2002 Firefighter's Pay Claim had been discussed. Also, he referred to a recent Long Service Medal Award Ceremony and to the official opening of St. Mary's Fire Station. He paid tribute to the success of the Young Firefighters Scheme. Members were reminded of the forthcoming HFRS sprinkler demonstration at St. Mary's Stadium on 27 May, 2002 and noted that there would be a Fire Show at Fire Brigade HQ, Eastleigh on 30 June, 2002. Finally, the Authority were sad to learn of the recent death of David Pain, a former Deputy Chief Fire Officer of HFRS.
(iii) The Authority received and noted a report by the Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on a number of notable fire and rescue incidents since the last meeting.
78 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES, DEPUTIES AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the appointment of Committees, deputies and other appointments.
RESOLVED:
(i) That, for the purposes of Part I of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the allocation of seats on the Committees of the Authority, be as follows:-
Committee Conservative Group Liberal Labour
Democrat Group
Group
Finance and 7 4 2
General Purposes
Personnel 7 3 2
Best Value 4 2 1
Standards 3 1 1
(ii) That Members be appointed to the four Committees and the Committee Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Deputies be as follows:-
Finance and General Personnel Committee (12)
Purposes Committee (13)
Mrs. E.S.M. Barron Mrs. A.E. Bailey
M.F. Cartwright A. Bentley (Portsmouth)
J.E. Coles K. Chapman (Vice-Chairman)
Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown M. Gausden (Southampton)
D. Horne (Portsmouth) R. Baulk
P.R.C. Hutcheson (Vice-Chairman) Mrs. D. Harrison
Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott D. Horne (Portsmouth)
R.H. Price D.A. Kirk
R. Smith (Southampton) R. McIntosh
P. Russell (Southampton) K.P.J. Searle
P.A. Heath (Chairman) G. Semmens (Portsmouth)
(Chairman)
J. Stocks Mrs. M.D. Snaith
M.J. Woodhall Note: P. Russell (Southampton)
deputy for M. Gausden
Best Value Committee (7) Standards Committee (7)
M.F. Cartwright M. Gausden (Southampton)
Mrs. E.S.M. Barron P.A. Heath (Vice-Chairman)
K. Chapman J. Stocks
M. Gausden (Southampton) W.H. Wheeler
D.A. Kirk (Chairman) M.J. Woodhall (Chairman)
P. Russell (Southampton)
G. Semmens (Portsmouth) Independent Members
Mrs. W. Burton) for a period of
Miss S. Roberts) 4 years expiring
Feb, 2006.
Fairness and Dignity Group (4) Community Fire Safety Task
Force (5)
M.F. Cartwright (Chairman ex officio) M.F. Cartwright (Chairman ex
officio)
Mrs. E.S.M. Barron R. Baulk
Deputy: A. Bentley (Portsmouth) K. Chapman
D. Horne (Portsmouth) Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown
Deputy: P. Russell (Southampton) Deputy: M. Gausden (Southampton)
G. Semmens D. Horne (Portsmouth)
Deputy: P. Russell (Southampton)
79 SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS TO STANDING ORDERS
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on various changes to the Authority's Standing Orders as recommended by a small working group of its Members.
In discussion the Clerk suggested the deletion of words no longer required in Standing Order 14 and the deletion of Standing Order 21 as it had been superseded by the new Code of Conduct for Members. The Authority supported the suggested amendments made by the Clerk at the meeting and the other changes proposed by the member working group. Also, they wished to amend Standing Order 19 to reduce the notice given for making a deputation. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Authority accepts the recommendations of the member working group and adopts the revised Standing Orders as set out in Appendix 1 to the report with immediate effect, with the additional amendments made at the meeting by the Clerk and set out below:
Standing Order 14 - delete the words "the subject of debate shall be deemed to be disposed of for that day or" on lines 5 and 6.
Standing Order 21 - delete as no longer required.
Standing Order 19 - substitute for "five clear days" "by noon two clear days in advance".
Standing Order 27 paragraph 4 replace 21 by 20
(ii) That the Clerk arrange for the amended Standing Orders to be circulated to all members of the Authority.
80 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE - PROGRESS REPORT
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the health and safety performance for the year ending 31 March, 2002 and setting out the strategic objectives for the year 1 April, 2002 to 31 March, 2003.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report and Appendix A - Health and Safety Performance report for the year ending 31 March, 2002 be noted.
(ii) That the five key strategic objectives for this year as detailed in Appendix B be approved, namely:
(a) Establish a brigade wide system for audit in accordance with Health Safety and Executive guidelines.
(b) Develop an accident, incident and near miss reporting, recording and investigation system to satisfy Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Health and Safety Executive and Her Majesty's Inspectorate requirements.
(c) Successful introduction of a stress awareness programme.
(d) Establishment of a muscular-skeletal care programme.
(e) Successful implementation of regular health screening for all personnel.
81 ARSON REDUCTION AND CONVICTIONS
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) about the HFRS arson reduction initiative taking place in collaboration with others.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and approval given to the HFRS policy to support the Police in the prosecution of those accused of the crime of arson.
82 BT SYSTEMS FAILURE - 25 APRIL, 2002
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) about the affects and action taken as a result of the BT Systems failure on 25 April, 2002.
Councillor M. Gausden declared a non-pecuniary interest and left the meeting for this item. Also, Councillor K. Chapman declared that he was a BT pensioner and took no part in the discussion.
The Chief Fire Officer reported that there had been an estimated £10,000 cost to the Authority to crew fire stations during the failure and that it was the intention to seek to reclaim this cost in full from BT.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and the outcome of the fuller meeting with BT and other representatives on 23 May, 2002 to limit the possibility of a recurrence of the failure be reported to the Authority.
83 MINUTES OF PERSONNEL COMMITTEE - 3 APRIL, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Personnel Committee held on 3 April, 2002 (Item 14 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendation on private investigation services. Also, the Clerk undertook to add Councillor K. Chapman to the apologies given at the meeting.
84 MINUTES OF BEST VALUE COMMITTEE - 3 APRIL, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Best Value Committee held on 3 April, 2002 (Item 15 in the Minute Book).
85 MINUTES OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE - 30 APRIL, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 30 April, 2002 (Item 16 in the Minute Book).
86 NOTES OF FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY GROUP - 18 APRIL, 2002
The Authority received the notes of the Fairness and Dignity Group held on 18 April, 2002 (Item 17 in the Minute Book).
87 NOTES OF COMMUNITY SAFETY TASK FORCE - 18 FEBRUARY, 2002
The Authority received the notes of the Community Safety Task Force held on 18 February, 2002 (Item 18 in the Minute Book).
88 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION - GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2 JULY, 2002) AND ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON 3-5 JULY, 2002 AT BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
The Authority considered the appointment of Members to the LGA General Assembly and to attend this year's Annual Conference. It was agreed that different members of the same political group could attend on different days if they so wished.
RESOLVED:
(i) That Councillors Mrs. E.S.M. Barron, M.F. Cartwright and D. Horne be appointed as the Authority's representatives on the LGA General Assembly.
(ii) That the Chairman, together with one representative from each of the three political groups be authorised to attend the LGA Conference 3-5 July, 2002; Councillor D. Horne was appointed as the Labour Member with the names of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat representation to be forwarded to the Clerk at the earliest opportunity.
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