Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 4 December, 2002
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); Mrs. A.E. Bailey; Mrs. E.S.M. Barron;
R. Baulk; 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; P. Luffman; R. McIntosh; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; R.H. Price; P. Russell; K.P.J. Searle; G. Semmens; R. Smith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
Also in attendance were Martin Robinson and Chris Williams of District Audit for Minute 125.
121 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A. Bentley and K. Chapman.
122 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 25 September, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Firefighters' Pay Dispute (Minute 99)
The Chairman and Chief Fire Officer updated the Authority on the latest position. It was noted that the fire cover provided by the Armed Services had so far operated well. Members commended full time firefighters for attending serious and life threatening incidents on strike days and retained staff for continuing to work normally. Also, they paid tribute to the FBU in Hampshire for their handling of the dispute. Members noted that they would continue to receive information on developments over the coming weeks.
Integrated Personnel Development System (Minute 108)
It was reported that Councillor P. Luffman (deputy K.P.J. Searle) would represent the Labour Group on the new Integrated Personnel Development Working Group.
Courses and Conferences (Minute 116)
At the request of a Member, the Chief Fire Officer undertook to include at the next meeting those HFRA Conferences in 2003 to which Members would need to be appointed.
123 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS, QUESTION AND INCIDENTS OF INTEREST
(i) The Chairman reported on his attendances at Long Service Awards and at various other meetings and events. He congratulated HFRS on receiving the County Council Hantsweb Award for the "accessibility" of its website. Also, he thanked Councillor R. Baulk for his valuable contribution towards the Authority's successful E-Government - Implementing Electronic Government Statement. The Chief Fire officer was asked to give a presentation on this to the next Authority meeting.
(ii) Councillor K.J. Searle noted the Chairman's response to his question on whether there are any other Fire Prevention Systems other than sprinkler systems.
(iii) The Authority received and noted a report by the Chief Fire Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on a number of notable fire and rescue incidents since the last meeting. Members noted the continuing increase in nuisance calls as a result of fireworks going on sale for a four to six week period around 5 November. At the Authority's request, the Chief Fire Officer agreed to raise and pursue this with MPs and others, as appropriate.
124 PRESENTATION ON PRIVATE FINANCE INITIATIVE
The Treasurer gave a presentation to the Authority on the Private Finance Initiative and its possible application in relation to future fire schemes. Among the issues highlighted were its advantages, disadvantages and success-rate for fire schemes elsewhere in the country. A note of the presentation appears at Item 4 in the Minute book.
Members supported PFI as one option alongside others which they felt the Authority should consider in determining its future capital programme. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
That the Asset Management Working Group of the Finance and General Purposes Committee investigate PFI as part of its present review of the Authority's capital programme and other asset management issues and that the outcome of this be recommended to the Authority in due course.
125 DISTRICT AUDITOR'S ANNUAL AUDIT LETTER 2001/02
The Authority considered the District Auditor's Annual Audit letter (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the results of the HFRS 2001/02 audit.
Martin Robinson and Chris Williams of District Audit gave a presentation summarising the key issues and conclusions of the audit. (Item 5 in the Minute Book).
The Authority was pleased with the progress made and positive steps taken on various non-front line services over the past year. A special mention was made of the Services' innovative website. Members noted that steps had already been taken to address those areas still requiring attention.
RESOLVED:
That the District Auditor's Annual Audit Letter 2001/02 be received and noted.
126 DRAFT BUDGET 2003/04
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and the Chief Fire Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out the draft budget for 2003/04.
The Treasurer summarised the main issues contained in the report. He highlighted the way in which the increase of 4.7% in the base budget had been calculated and the present uncertainties in relation to the firefighters' pay award and likely level of Government funding.
Members noted the proposal to appoint a cross-party working group to assess growth priorities prior to consultation on these and the budget itself with the constituent authorities and in time for a meeting between the Chairman and representatives of each of the constituent authorities on 9 January 2003. Also, the Authority wished to meet with the Trade Unions prior to 9 January, if practicable.
Following a full discussion Members supported the way forward summarised at the meeting, but felt, in view of the uncertainty in relation to the firefighters' pay dispute, it was more appropriate to note rather than approve the base budget at this stage and not to restrict growth options to be explored by the proposed cross-party working group. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That the base budget for 2003/04 be noted.
(ii) That Members approve further exploration of growth options.
(iii) That a cross-party working group of Members consider and assess the priorities.
(iv) That copies of this report, as amended to reflect the outcomes of consideration of growth options, be sent to the constituent authorities in time for the meeting set up between the Chairman of the Authority and representatives from each of the constituent authorities due to take place on 9 January 2003.
(v) That the Chief Fire Officer make arrangements for a meeting between the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and Minority Group Spokespersons with the Trade Unions representatives to discuss the draft budget.
(vi) That the Finance and General Purposes Committee be asked to consider, at its meeting on 15 January 2003, a further draft of the budget for 2003/04 that takes into account the up to date information regarding the level of Government funding that will be made available and also the views of constituent authorities.
(vii) That the final budget, and required levies, be set by the Authority at its meeting on 5 February 2003.
127 PROPOSED REFORM OF FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATION
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) about the proposed reform of Fire Safety legislation due to be implemented after Spring 2004.
128 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 : PUBLICATION SCHEME
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Freedom of Information Publication.
RESOLVED:
That the Freedom of Information Publication Scheme, as appended to the report, be approved and adopted.
129 B&Q - LEAD AUTHORITY PARTNERSHIP SCHEME
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on a proposal to continue with this partnership scheme.
RESOLVED:
That the Authority endorse the decision to continue with the Lead Authority Partnership with B&Q Plc and that, at the earliest opportunity, the Chief Fire Officer, on behalf of the Authority, sign a "Memorandum of Understanding" to clarify the respective roles of the partners.
130 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 30 OCTOBER, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 30 October, 2002 (Item 10 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendation referred to in Minute 35.
131 MINUTES OF BEST VALUE COMMITTEE - 30 OCTOBER, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Best Value Committee held on 30 October, 2002 (Item 11 in the Minute Book).
132 NOTES OF FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY - 17 OCTOBER, 2002
The Authority received the notes of the Fairness and Dignity Group held on 17 October, 2002 (Item 12 in the Minute Book).
133 LGA ANNUAL FIRE CONFERENCE - 25 AND 26 MARCH, 2003, NEWCASTLE
The Authority considered appointing Members to next year's LGA Fire Conference.
RESOLVED:
That the Chairman, together with Councillors R.H. Price; K.P.J. Searle and G. Semmens be appointed to attend the LGA Annual Fire Conference on 25 and 26 March 2002 in Newcastle.
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