Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY - FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at Fire Brigade Headquarters, Eastleigh on 10 July, 2002
PRESENT:
Councillors: P.A. Heath (Chairman); Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; J.E. Coles;
P.R.C. Hutcheson; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; R.H. Price; M.J. Woodhall.
Also in attendance was Councillor G. Semmens.
25 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence was received from Councillors M.F. Cartwright;
Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; P. Russell; R. Smith; J. Stocks.
26 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 April, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Copnor Fire Station and B Division Headquarters - Major Building Defects
In response to a question for an update on the work which was proposed for Copnor Fire Station, the Chief Fire Officer reported that meetings on site had been held and a schedule of works agreed within the estimated cost of repairs in the sum of £135,000 as previously reported to the Fire Authority. Works would proceed as soon as tenders had been accepted.
27 FINAL ACCOUNTS 2001/02
The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Fire Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) summarising the actual spending of the Authority for the last financial year.
During discussion, the Committee confirmed that in respect of Copnor Fire Station it wished to seek financial contributions from all contributing authorities. Also, in recognising the backlog of property maintenance works, the Committee asked to receive regular property maintenance progress reports.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the final accounts for 2001/02 be approved.
(ii) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority:
(a) That the underspending from 2001/02 be used as additional revenue contributions, in 2001/02, resulting in additional BCA being carried forward and used to finance the "hot fire" scheme (£41,000) and either repairs to Copnor Fire Station or as a contribution towards other building maintenance of a capital nature.
(b) That capital payments for the year be financed as set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report.
(c) That it be determined that:
(i) The £346,922 of BCA lent to Hampshire County Council in 2000/01 be returned to this Authority and that the balance of £703,453 BCA remain with Hampshire County Council until it is required by the Authority.
(ii) £314,910 of capital receipts be used to meet the capital expenditure in 2001/02.
(iii) £87,415 be set aside as provision for credit liabilities from the revenue account and applied to avoid new loans authorised by credit approvals.
(d) That the Treasury Management Activities as set out in Part D of the report be approved.
(e) That the Authority Assurance Statement, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report, be approved.
(f) That the Chairman and Treasurer be requested to pursue the request to the Constituent Authorities for additional contributions towards the repairs to Copnor Fire Station as agreed at the meeting of the Authority on the 6 June 2002.
28 BUDGET MONITORING 2002/03 (1)
The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Fire Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) setting out the 2002/03 budget position and on a recommendation to add a maximum of £250,000 for repairs to the Copnor Fire Station to the Capital Programme.
Members noted the recent demonstration by the Fire Brigades Union at the LGA Conference in Bournemouth and the circular received by the Chief Fire Officer concerning the pay deal.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the budget monitoring report be noted.
That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority:-
(ii) That capital repairs to Copnor Fire Station be added to the capital programme to a maximum value of £250,000.
(iii) That proposals in this report relating to the replacement of the revised budget report with a strengthened budget monitoring process be adopted.
29 CODE OF PRACTICE RELATING TO CONTRACTS
The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) giving details of proposed contracts for goods and services where each contract value is likely to exceed £50,000.
30 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 matters contained in Minutes 31 and 32 referred to below.
31 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
The Committee considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) summarising the current estimated financial implications of the condition survey, prioritising these needs and preparing a programme of works for 2002/03.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the programme of works for the repair and maintenance of buildings in 2002/03 (as set out in Appendix B of the submitted report) be endorsed.
(ii) That tenders be invited and a contract let for a scheme to improve facilities for the disabled at the Divisional Headquarters Building, Redbridge, subject to the cost being substantially covered by Supplementary Credit Approvals, and that it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority that this be added to the capital programme.
(iii) That the feasibility report for the improvement of facilities at the Training Centre, Eastleigh be presented to this committee in October 2002.
(iv) That the Chief Fire Officer, in conjunction with the Treasurer and the Authority's property advisers, explore whether there are potential benefits for the Authority in pursuing a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme as a method of funding the longer term repair, maintenance and future improvements to the Authority's built estate.
32 EVALUATION OF TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY OF PUMPING APPLIANCES FOR 2002 TO 2005
The Committee considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) setting out information relating to the tendering process for the supply of pumping appliances.
RESOLVED:
That the contract for the supply of seven vehicles per year over the period of 3 years be awarded to Emergency One UK.
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