Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 26 May, 2004. Item 6
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); M. Andrewes; Mrs. A.E. Bailey; R. Baulk; K. Chapman; E.F. Gale MBE; P. Galton; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; S. Letts; P. Luffman; R. McIntosh; R.H. Price; G. Semmens; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith.
230 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; K. House; D.A. Kirk; K.P.J. Searle; J. Stocks and M.J. Woodhall.
231 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Fire Authority's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
232 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 11 February, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Budget 2004/05 (Minute 219)
The Treasurer reported on the Authority's 2004/5 budget position. Members noted how their budget had compared with some other Combined Fire Authorities which had been capped and were advised of the 2003/04 outturn budget position which was expected to result in a £400,000 underspend due primarily to fewer retirements than expected. The underspend would be returned to the constituent authorities in accordance with the approved arrangements.
233 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
234 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
There were no Members' questions.
235 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS AND INCIDENTS OF INTEREST
(i) The Chairman reported on his attendance at recent Fire Service meetings and events, which had included a Long Service Award for the Chief Fire Officer.
(ii) It was noted that following a review of its role the Community Fire Safety Steering Group was to reconvene shortly with Councillor R. McIntosh as an added Conservative Member. The Liberal Democrat Group were requested to convey their additional member nomination to the Chief Fire Officer.
(iii) Members were informed that following the HFRA meeting on 15 September, 2004, a two hour presentation was to take place in the afternoon on the "Prince 2" Methodology For Project Management. Further details would follow nearer the time.
(iv) The Authority received and noted a report by the Chief Fire Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on a number of notable fire and rescue service incidents since the last meeting. In response to a Member's request, the Chief Fire Officer agreed in future to include the time taken by fire appliances to attend those incidents reported.
236 PRESENTATION BY MARIANNE ABLEY OF THE AUDIT COMMISSION ON "PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL FOR PRINCIPAL FIRE OFFICERS"
The Authority received a powerpoint presentation by Marianne Abley of the Audit Commission on "Performance Appraisal for Principal Fire Officers". Copies of the presentation material were circulated at the meeting (Item 7 in the Minute Book).
Following a question and answer session, Members thanked Marianne Abley for her interesting and informative presentation.
237 HFRS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL ABOUT SPRINKLER SYSTEM INSTALLATION AND RISK REDUCTION ACTIVITIES
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) about the partnership working between Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire County Council in relation to fire precautions in County Council buildings, in particular the installation of sprinkler systems.
In commending the report and partnership arrangements, Members felt it was important to further develop this initiative by seeking similar agreements with Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils as well as with other local authorities and the Health Service.
Accordingly, it was:
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Authority notes the progress being made as a result of this partnership agreement with Hampshire County Council's Property, Business and Regulatory Services.
(ii) That the Authority actively pursues discussions with other authorities such as Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils, the health authority and other district councils in Hampshire to conclude agreements with them on sprinkler systems.
(iii) That the Authority continues to endorse partnership working with other agencies, which focuses on activities to reduce risk, central to its Integrated Risk Management Plan.
238 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk and Treasurer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) about developing the Authority's Corporate Governance Framework, including a proposal to add an audit role to the terms of reference of the Standards Committee.
In discussion Members wished to establish a new separate and stand alone committee for corporate governance rather than to add this role to the existing responsibilities of the Standards Committee. Also, it was felt that it might be appropriate to co-opt suitably qualified independent Member(s) onto the new committee.
RESOLVED:
That the proposed arrangements for the monitoring and review of corporate governance and internal audit be approved subject to this role being undertaken on behalf of the Authority by a newly constituted Committee and that the Clerk prepare a report for the next meeting of the HFRA on the proposed establishment of this Committee.
239 COMBINED EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY, LOCAL AUTHORITY ELECTIONS IN 2004 AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE HFRA ANNUAL MEETING ON 14 JULY, 2004
The Authority received and noted the report of the Clerk (Item 10 in the Minute Book) about the Combined European Parliamentary and Local Authority elections and the arrangements made for the Annual Meeting of the Fire Authority on 14 July, 2004.
240 REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD : PROGRESS REPORT
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on progress in establishing the Regional Management Board for the South East Region and on a proposal to provide the Authority with regular updates on the Board's work.
Councillor R. Smith wished his opposition to Regional Management Boards and to the ODPM's proposal to establish Regional Control Centres to be recorded in the Minutes.
During a full discussion Members were not convinced that Regional Control Centres would result in an improved service and wished to be kept closely informed of relevant Board discussions over the coming months. Also, the Chief Fire Officer agreed to clarify the position over the representation of deputy members at Regional Management Board meetings.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That in future, the agenda, minutes and relevant reports of the Regional Management Board be presented to meetings of the Authority with a covering report, identifying key issues that need to be brought to the attention of members.
(iii) That this Authority opposes Regional Control Centres unless there is overwhelming evidence to show a significant improvement in service delivery.
(iv) That, in view of the importance of this matter, a series of seminars and briefings be held and appropriate reports be prepared, as necessary, so as to inform Members and establish the Authority's position on the different elements being discussed at the Regional Management Board.
241 AUDIT COMMISSION'S VERIFICATION STUDY : FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE MODERNISATION AND PAY AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the Audit Commission's Verification Study in relation to the Fire and Rescue Service Modernisation and Pay and Conditions Agreement. A short video was shown as part of this item.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That the Authority re-affirms its commitment to modernisation of the Service as set out in the vision statement in paragraph 5.1 of the report.
242 MINUTES OF STANDARDS COMMITTEE - 19 MARCH, 2004
The Authority received the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 19 March, 2004 and adopted the recommendation not to pay a Special Responsibility Allowance to Members serving on Disciplinary/Grievance Panels. (Item 13 in the Minute Book).
243 MINUTES OF PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE - 21 APRIL, 2004
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review Committee held on 21 April, 2004 (Item 14 in the Minute Book).
244 MINUTES OF PERSONNEL COMMITTEE - 21 APRIL, 2004
The Authority received the Minutes of the Personnel Committee held on 21 April, 2004 (Item 15 in the Minute Book).
245 NOTES ON FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY MEETING - 14 APRIL, 2004
The Authority received the Notes of the Fairness and Dignity meeting held on 14 April, 2004 (Item 16 in the Minute Book).
246 MEMBERS' ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCES
(i) Audit Commission - Fire Modernisation Workshop - 27 May, 2004, Sutton Scotney, near Winchester
The Authority noted that due to lack of delegates this workshop had been postponed to a later date.
(ii) LGA Seminar for Fire and Rescue Members on the Modernisation Programme - 21 June, 2004 in London
The Chairman reported upon an invitation from the LGA to attend this Seminar on 21 June, 2004. It was noted that three places were available of which one would be taken by the Director of Corporate Services.
RESOLVED:
(i) That Councillors M.F. Cartwright and P.A. Heath be appointed to attend an LGA Seminar on the Modernisation Programme to be held on 21 June, 2004 in London.
(ii) That the Chief Fire Officer seek a further place at the Seminar for a Minority Party Member.
(iii) Fire Conference - 7-9 September, 2004 at The G. Mex Centre, Manchester
The Authority considered appointing one Member from each of the political parties to attend this fire conference in September, 2004.
RESOLVED:
That Councillors M.F. Cartwright; Mrs. A.E. Bailey and K.P.J. Searle be appointed to attend the Fire Conference between 7-9 September, 2004 at The G. Mex Centre, Manchester.
247 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 28 APRIL, 2004
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 28 April, 2004 and noted that the recommendation concerning the Headquarters and Training Centre Development would be dealt with in the confidential part of the meeting (Minute 249 refers).
248 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of the relevant Paragraphs, as shown below, of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting.
Minute 249 - Paragraph 8
Minute 250 - Paragraph 1
249 HEADQUARTERS AND TRAINING CENTRE DEVELOPMENT
The Authority considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer, together with the confidential minute of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of 28 April, 2004 about this development (Item 20 in the Minute Book). The Authority adopted the Committee's recommendation on this item.
250 APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF OFFICER, HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
The Authority considered the confidential report of the Chairman of the Interview Panel to approve the appointment of the new Chief Officer, HFRS (Item 21 in the Minute Book).
RESOLVED:
That the Authority unanimously adopts the recommendation of the Interview Panel and confirms the appointment of John Bonney as Chief Officer for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service with effect from 1 July, 2004.
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