Archived decisions

    AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY - FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on Wednesday 28 July, 2004

PRESENT:

    Councillors: P.A. Heath (Chairman); Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; P.R.C. Hutcheson; P. Luffman; R.H. Price; R. Smith; J. Stocks; M.J. Woodhall.

84 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. E.S.M. Barron, M. F. Cartwright, K. House, Mrs M. D. Snaith.

85 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed that had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Authority's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed

    There were no declarations of interest made by members under this item.

86 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28 April, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

      Minute No. 83 - Headquarters and Training Centre Development - Outline Business Case and Project Appraisal - it was noted that the planning application was due to be submitted to Eastleigh Borough Council during the week commencing 2 August, 2004.

87 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

88 FINAL ACCOUNTS 2003/04

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing spending of the Authority for the last financial year. Overall there was an under spend of £401,000 against the budget totalling £52,095,000. This allowed for making appropriate provision for amounts judged likely to become payable for uninsured items. As a result of this under spend the constituent authorities would receive repayments totalling £401,000.

    RESOLVED:

      (i) That the accounts for 2003/04 be approved.

      (ii) That capital payments for the year be financed as set out in paragraph 4.2 to the report.

      (iii) That it be determined that:

        (i) £546,951 of capital receipts be used to meet capital expenditure in 2003/04.

        (ii) That £141,672 be set aside as provision for credit liabilities from the revenue account and applied to avoid new loans authorised by credit approvals.

      (iv) That the treasury management activities as set out in Part D to the report be approved.

      (v) That the Authority Assurance Statement as set out in Appendix 4 to the report be noted.

89 DRAFT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2003/04

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the draft Statement of Accounts for 2003/04.

RESOLVED:

That the Statement of Accounts for 2003/04 be approved.

90 BUDGET MONITORING 2004/05 (1)

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the latest budget predictions for the year. Overall an under spend of £358,000 was predicted, but with the acknowledgement that it was too early in the year to be confident of this.

      It was recommended to the Committee that the previously unallocated additional £88,000 of council tax arising from changes in the rules concerning charges made for second homes could be used to fund partnership initiatives with other local authorities and agencies, particularly those associated with activities arising from local crime and disorder panels and Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP's)


      RESOLVED:

      That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority that:

      (i) The £88,000 second homes specific reserve be allocated to support practical partnership initiatives that directly contribute to the achievement of the Authority's Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP).

      (ii) The latest budget position be noted.

      (iii) That latest capital starts values set out in Appendix B to the report be approved.

91 FINANCIAL ISSUES FOR 2005/06

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) summarising the financial issues currently facing fire and rescue authorities, including the likely impact of the Government Spending Review 2004 and the likely level 2005/06 grant settlement.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

92 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE SETTLEMENTS 2003/04 AND 2004/05 - GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON AMENDMENTS

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) setting out the principles behind the Government options for amending the Local Government's finance settlements for 2003/04 and 2004/05 and summarising the proposed response to the consultation.

RESOLVED:

That the Treasurer respond to the Government consultation on Amending Reports for 2003/04 and 2004/05 as set out in the report.

93 APPOINTMENTS TO THE ASSET MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP

The Committee considered the report of the Clerk (Item 10 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the appointment of Members to the Asset Management Working Group.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the following Members be appointed to the Asset Management Working Group:

      Councillor P.R.C. Hutcheson - Chairman

      Councillor R.H. Price

      Councillor J. Stocks

      (ii) That a fourth member be confirmed by the Labour Group.

94 CODE OF PRACTICE RELATING TO CONTRACTS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) setting out the annual report on contracts for goods and services.

RESOLVED:

That the annual report on contracts be noted.

95 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That by virtue of Paragraphs 8 and 9 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public were excluded from the meeting for the following item of business.

96 CODE OF PRACTICE RELATING TO CONTRACTS - CONFIDENTIAL APPENDIX

      The Committee considered and approved the confidential appendix relating to the annual report on contracts for goods and services (Minute No. 94 refers).