Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 5 February, 2003.
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; R. Baulk; A. Bentley; K. Chapman; J.E. Coles; 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; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
134 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. A.E. Bailey and R. Smith.
135 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest reported on this item.
136 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 4 December, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the year shown for the LGA Fire Conference in Newcastle being amended to read 2003 in place of 2002 (Minute 133 refers).
137 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations made at this meeting.
138 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS AND INCIDENTS OF INTEREST : NOVEMBER, 2002 - JANUARY, 2003
(i) The Chairman thanked Mike Gates, Media and Public Relations Manager at HFRS for sending to Members the dates of all key-events taking place at Fire Service Headquarters, Eastleigh during 2003.
(ii) The Authority received and noted a report by the Chief Fire Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on a number of notable fire and rescue incidents since the last meeting. The Chief Fire Officer reported that the industrial action taken on 21 January, 2003 had produced a further quiet day in terms of operational activity. Also, he wished to record his appreciation to the Armed Services and Police for their co-operation on such days.
139 THE IMPLICATIONS OF PRECEPTING FOR COMBINED FIRE AUTHORITIES
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer and Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on possible issues that might arise for CFAs when they become precepting authorities.
During discussion Members highlighted the importance of further Government guidance over the transfer of reserves from the constituent authorities etc. Also, it was not felt appropriate to lobby the Government to delay its intended start date of 1 April, 2004 for CFAs to become precepting authorities.
Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That this first report on the potential impact of becoming a precepting authority be noted.
(ii) That the Finance and General Purposes Committee consider the financial implications as soon as more details about transitional arrangements are made known by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
(iii) That a copy of this report be sent to the Local Government Association (for information) with a letter supporting the need to lobby the Government strongly and urgently for:
· Clear guidance on the transfer of reserves from constituent authorities
· Adequate transitional and future funding arrangements
in order to ensure an equitable move to precepting status for all Combined Fire Authorities.
140 E-GOVERNMENT AND THE AUTHORITY'S IMPLEMENTING ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT (IEG) STATEMENT
The Authority considered the report of the Authority's e-champions (Item 7 in the Minute Book) about actions taken on behalf of the Authority in response to the Government's plans to deliver public services electronically.
The Authority wished to place on record their appreciation to those involved in progressing this initiative and wished to encourage the use of electronic delivery of information to Members.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That Councillor R. Baulk be thanked for his most valuable contribution to the Authority's IEG Statement together with the Chief Fire Officer and Wendy Lambert of HFRS for their work on this matter.
(iii) That the Clerk write to Members of the Authority to give them the opportunity to receive, at the appropriate time, the electronic delivery of HFRA and Committee agendas and, with immediate effect, other correspondence, circulars etc from the Chief Fire Officer.
141 BUDGET 2003/04
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on setting the budget for 2003/04.
During a full discussion the Authority were reminded of the consultations and other steps taken since the last meeting. This had included priorisation of options for new growth by a cross-party working group. It was noted that all three constituent authorities had expressed a preference for the Authority to set its levy at a level to meet only a base budget increase with no allowance for new growth.
The Chief Fire Officer highlighted the continuing pressures on the Fire and Rescue Service and referred to the importance of each of the growth proposals set out in Appendix 3 of the report, some of which had been brought forward from previous years.
The Authority in noting the concerns of the Chief Fire Officer were also mindful of the expectation of the constituent authorities that there could be additional costs arising from the need to carry out urgent repairs to Copnor Fire Station. The constituent authorities had previously indicated that they would prefer this cost to be taken into account in setting the 2003/04 budget rather than as an additional levy during 2002/03. Members noted that the proposed 5% increase in the base budget as recommended in the report would fund only the most essential £135,000 worth of Chief Fire Officer's growth priorities. It would mean that about £0.9m worth of funding pressures identified by the Chief Fire Officer would need to be deferred and/or absorbed by taking action within current budgets. Also, Members noted the present uncertainty over the level of settlement for firefighters' pay with effect from both November, 2002 and November, 2003 which might result in a further levy on constituent authorities.
Some Members were in favour of alternative proposals to meet some of the funding pressures and an amendment was tabled at the meeting to replace recommendations (i) and (ii) of the submitted report (Item 8(i) in the Minute Book). It was noted that the alternative proposals, if implemented, would give a further 1.3% increase in the base budget.
In respect of the alternative proposals referred to in the previous paragraph, the required number of Members, pursuant to Standing Order 16(4), signified their support for their voting on this to be recorded to show how each Member present voted.
Members supporting:
Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; A. Bentley; J.E. Coles; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; D. Horne; P. Luffman; R.H. Price; P. Russell; K.P.J. Searle.
Total 9
Members opposing:
R. Baulk; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; P.R.C. Hutcheson; D.A. Kirk; R. MacIntosh; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; G. Semmens; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
Total 13
Members abstaining:
None.
In respect of resolutions (i) and (ii) below, the required number of Members, pursuant to Standing Order 16(4), signified their support for the voting on this item to be recorded to show how each Member present voted.
Resolutions (i) and (ii)
Members supporting:
R. Baulk; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; D.A. Kirk; P. Luffman; R. McIntosh; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; P. Russell; K.P.J. Searle; G. Semmens; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.
Total 17
Members opposing:
Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; A. Bentley; J.E. Coles; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; R.H. Price.
Total 5
Members abstaining:
None.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Authority sets levies on the three constituent authorities for 2003/04 based on a 5% increase as set out in the report, ie base budget plus the revenue effects of the capital programme plus the cost of the repairs to Copnor Fire Station.
(ii) That further reports be brought to the Finance and General Purposes Committee in due course to establish the scope within that budget to take forward the priorities for new growth.
(iii) That constituent authorities be given notice that these levies may be increased later for (a) the amount of any underspend achieved by this Authority in 2002/03 (ie with a neutral overall effect on constituent authorities); and (b) the amount by which any eventual cost of implementing the firefighters' pay awards for November, 2002 and November, 2003 exceeds the budgeted assumption of 4% + 4%, insofar as that cost is not covered by transitional funding or savings realisable in 2003/04.
(iv) That as set out in appendix 5 to the report of the Finance and General Purposes Committee:
(a) An overall borrowing limit be fixed at £12.544m for the year ending 31 March, 2004.
(b) A short-term limit be fixed at £9.378m for the year ending 31 March, 2004.
(c) The proportion of interest paid at rates which can be varied by the level of external factors be set at 32% for the year ending 31 March, 2004.
142 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 15 JANUARY, 2003
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 15 January, 2003 (Item 9 in the Minute Book).
143 INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE FIRE SERVICE
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the key issues arising from the Independent Review of the Fire Service published on 16 December, 2002.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the main findings of the Bain report about the future organisation and management of the Fire Service be noted.
(ii) That a Member/Officer Working Group be established to formulate the Authority's detailed response to the Independent Review recommendations; the Members to comprise Cllrs. M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); P.A. Heath and G. Semmens (Vice-Chairmen) and one Liberal Democrat and one Labour Member - these to be notified to the Clerk.
144 MEMBERSHIP OF BEST VALUE COMMITTEE
The Authority noted that Councillor J. Stocks had replaced Councillor G. Semmens on the Best Value Committee with immediate effect.
145 MINUTES OF BEST VALUE COMMITTEE - 11 DECEMBER, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Best Value Committee held on 11 December, 2002 (Item 12 in the Minute Book).
In relation to the Catering item (Minute 30), the Authority determined that it would be more appropriate if the Best Value Catering Review Team were to reconsider all the outcomes of the Scoping Review on catering and the Chief Fire Officer was asked to arrange this.
146 MINUTES OF THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE - 18 DECEMBER, 2002
The Authority received the Minutes of the Personnel Committee held on 18 December, 2002 (Item 13 in the Minute Book).
147 MINUTES OF STANDARDS COMMITTEE - 21 JANUARY, 2003
The Authority received the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 21 January, 2003 (Item 14 in the Minute Book).
148 NOTES OF FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY - 16 JANUARY, 2003
The Authority received the notes of the Fairness and Dignity Group held on 16 January, 2003 (Item 15 in the Minute Book).
149 APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO CONFERENCES IN 2003
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 16 in the Minute Book) on a proposal to appoint Members to Conferences etc in 2003.
In discussion the Authority recognised that there were significant costs involved and wished to ensure that those Members who did attend were mindful of this.
According, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Chief Fire Officer write to each of the Political Group Spokespersons on the Authority requesting the names of any Member interested to attend any of the Conferences listed in the report and thereafter make the appropriate booking arrangements.
(ii) That, further to (i) above, Councillor R.H. Price be appointed as the Liberal Democrat Member to attend the LGA General Assembly and Annual Conference and Exhibition in Harrogate in July, 2003.
150 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting for Minute 151.
151 DISCIPLINARY APPEAL PANEL
The Authority received and noted the confidential report of the Clerk (Item 18 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of a recent Disciplinary Appal Panel meeting.
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