AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire Headquarters, Eastleigh on Friday, 10 October, 2003.

PRESENT:

Councillors: D. A..Kirk (Chairman); Mrs E.S.M. Barron; Mrs. A.E. Bailey; M.F. Cartwright;

K. Chapman; S. Letts; J. Stocks.

45 APOLOGIES

There were no apologies for absence reported under this item.

46 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest reported under this item.

47 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 19 June, 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

48 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations, however the Committee considered written submissions handed in at the meeting from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and Unison, opposing the recommendations set out in the Chief Fire Officers report relating to the Best Value Scoping Review of Catering (Minute No. 49 below refers).

49 BEST VALUE SCOPING REVIEW OF CATERING

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) summarising the additional findings of the Best Value Catering Project Group and recommending to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority a number of recommendations relating to Emergency Catering, Headquarters Catering and Watch-based Catering.

In relation to Food Hygiene Regulations, the Chief Fire Officer reported that he had taken advice from the Environmental Health Officer at Eastleigh Borough Council and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Officers. He informed the Committee that the current catering structure meant that the Service was not complying with Food Hygiene Regulations and to become compliant would involve significant financial and training costs . It was explained that under the regulations, the Service was effectively classed as in the "food business" because it provided payments and allowances for persons to undertake catering and it also provided machinery and equipment for the preparation of food. The withdrawal of such payments and allowances and a reduction in the level of machinery and equipment would mean that the Service would no longer be classed as in the "food business". It was, however, pointed out that the Service would continue to comply with general Health and Safety legislation and as a responsible employer would give advice to employees about how to handle food safely.


The Committee considered each of the catering activities in detail and were informed that throughout the review there had been full consultation with members of the FBU, Unison and a member of the cooks.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority that:


(i) The current Emergency Catering arrangements be continued.


(ii) A review of arrangements for emergency catering prior to any future investment for the replacement of vehicles be implemented.


(iii) The Service Headquarters Catering contract continue until the end of the contract.


(iv) The Headquarters' subsidy of 36% be removed.


(v) An additional review of free meal entitlement be undertaken and actions taken to ensure that "free meals" are only available to those with entitlement.


(vi) Fire Station Cooks on Wholetime fire stations be removed from the Service Establishment.


(vii) The Watch Caterers allowance be removed.


(viii) A review of kitchen facilities on Wholetime fire stations be implemented.

50 PROGRAMME OF BEST VALUE REVIEWS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) recommending that the proposed Best Value Reviews of Support Services and Vehicle Workshops, due to be undertaken in 2003/04, be postponed and that the scope and timing of these two reviews be reassessed in the context of other collaborative initiatives being undertaken by Fire Authorities in response to the Government's White Paper "Our Fire and Rescue Service".

RESOLVED:

(i) That the proposed Best Value Reviews of Support Services and Vehicle Workshops, due to be undertaken in 2003/04, be postponed; and that the scope and timing of these two reviews be reassessed in the context of other collaborative initiatives being undertaken by Fire Authorities in response to the Government's White Paper, "Our Fire and Rescue Service".


(ii) That a draft revised 5 year programme of Best Value Reviews be presented for the Committee's consideration at its meeting in February 2004.

51 BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - QUARTERLY UPDATE : LOCAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND ACTIVITY INDICATORS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the Authority's performance for the period up to and including 30 June 2003. It was noted that Local Performance Indicators (LPI's) and Activity Indicators (AI's) were included in the performance data for the first time.

In considering LPI 40 and LPI 41, relating to complaints, the Committee requested that, in future, a cross section of the types of complaints received by the Service be set out in the commentary section of the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Service's performance towards meeting the targets set for each indicator be noted.

52 ACTIONS TO MEET RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN PREVIOUS BEST VALUE/SCOPING REVIEWS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing the progress reports and the action taken to meet recommendations made in previously conducted Best Value/Scoping Reviews as follows:

· Driver Training

· Control and Communications

· Procurement


It was noted that 1.1 (Control and Communications) and 9.5.1 (Procurement) had been completed and accordingly would not appear in future schedules. In relation to 9.8.1 (Procurement) it was anticipated that a reporting procedure for customer feedback would be available shortly via the intranet.

In relation to the employment of a Procurement Officer, the Committee was informed that the possibility of utilising the services of Hampshire County Council's Procurement Officer was still being considered, and that the Chief Fire Officer would report back in due course.

RESOLVED:

That the actions taken towards meeting the recommendations listed in the reviews of Driver Training, Control and Communications and Procurement be approved.