Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 12

8 December 2004

South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board: update

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: David Howells - Tel: 02380 626833

1

Introduction

1.1

This paper outlines the key issues arising from the South East Region Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board held on 22 September 2004.

1.2

The Chairman, Cllr Cartwright, and David Howells, Director of Corporate Services, attended on this occasion. Cllr Price also attended the meeting as an observer.

1.3

The full set of agenda papers for the meeting can be accessed on the Authority's website at:

http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/manage/rmb/sept04/index.php

2

Agenda - key issues arising

2.1

Most time was spent discussing the progress report on the "FiReControl" project. A number of recommendations were agreed which included the need for the RMB to establish an Action Plan aimed at ensuring the long- and short-term financial implications of establishing the new Regional Control Centre (RCC). It was felt that specific funding should be made available by the ODPM to support the costs of project management in addition to any that might be made available through "New Burdens" funding. Whatever the outcome of this request, a cost-apportionment model was adopted which would result in the Authority having to meet about 18% of the Region's project management costs. Cllr Cartwright received support for an additional recommendation to the effect that a letter should be sent to the ODPM expressing the Board's disappointment over the lack of public consultation on the scheme to establish RCCs, in line with the established principles of Best Value.

2.2

Progress reports were presented by the leaders of each of the other five work streams, but there are no significant issues worth drawing to the attention of the Authority. It is, however, becoming increasingly clear that we will need to consider making a significant provision in the 2005/06 budget to meet the various project management costs of the work streams. With this in mind, we will also need to ensure that we maintain appropriate records of the financial value of project management costs we are incurring where we are undertaking work on behalf of the Region - notably in leading on the Human Resource work stream and in representing the region in the `Accommodation' aspect of the FiReControl project.

2.3

The Board approved a recommendation of the Chairman that the Board would benefit from having an `away-day' at which members would have a better opportunity to spend more time discussing and determining a way forward in relation to the considerable burden of work that needs to be undertaken if the Board is make positive and tangible progress on the various work streams.

2.4

The away-day took place on 21 October 2004 - Cllr Cartwright and John Bonney attended. The day was structured to allow each of the six work streams to give a more detailed overview of the current project work being undertaken. Some work remains to achieve a consistent approach to project documentation with work is now underway to ensure this. It also became obvious of the need to improve the publicity surrounding the work of the RMB in the South East. Consideration is now in hand as to how this might be achieved.

3

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

3.1

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Recommendation

That the report on the September 2004 meeting of the South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board be noted.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report.

Agenda papers for the meeting of South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board held on 22 September 2004 are available at:

http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/manage/rmb/sept04/index.php

Note: The list excludes:

(1) Published works

(2) Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act