Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Finance and General Purposes Committee

Item 6

19 January 2005

Asset Management Working Group: Meeting held 20 October 2004

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact:

David Howells, Director of Corporate Services - Tel: 023 8064 4000 ext 203

1

Introduction

The Asset Management Working Group last met on 20 October 2004 and the meeting included discussion of the following items.

2

Headquarters and Training Centre Development

2.1

The Group noted that a planning application for the scheme had been submitted to Eastleigh Borough Council and a decision on the application was expected by the end of November 2004. [Post meeting note: approval now received]

2.2

Some Members of the Group expressed views that the business case for the potential relocation of Workshops should take into account the fact that it would release a strategically valuable site for the future provision of emergency cover.

[Post meeting note: Planning approval for the siting of the temporary building at the Community Centre site now received]

3

Integrated Risk Management Plan: pilot scheme to relocate a fire engine and crew to Popley Fields Community Centre, Basingstoke

3.1

The Group was briefed on the good progress being made to run a twelve month pilot scheme that involves the provision of temporary accommodation at the Community Centre for the deployment of a vehicle and crew. It was noted that outcomes from this innovative pilot will provide valuable information on how emergency cover and fire safety activities in Basingstoke (and the surrounding area) might best be improved and, particularly, whether the Carpenters Down site (owned by the Authority) provides the best long-term solution for the deployment of resources.

[Post meeting note: The delay in completing the Best Value Review of Workshops means that the opportunity to present a business case in time for a decision on Phase 2 (workshop's building) to be made prior to the commencement of the Phase 1 Headquarter's development scheme is now at risk. As a result the Chairman of the Asset Management Working Group (AMWG) and the Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee have suggested that:

(a) a meeting of the AMWG be called to consider a draft business case as soon as results of the Best Value Review of Workshops is known;

(b) in order to meet project timescales, that the Authority be asked (at its meeting on 09 02 2005) to consider delegating authority to the Finance and General Purposes Committee to determine the business case for relocating workshops and, if it be in the Authority's best financial interests, whether the building works should be carried out at the same time as the Phase 1 building works; and,

( c) the Finance and General Purposes Committee be asked to recommend to the Authority a capital programme which incorporates expenditure on professional fees associated with Phase 2 up to a maximum of £100,000 to enable detailed specifications to be prepared and allow tender prices to be obtained for both phases.

Appropriate recommendations have been included to cover these issues in the Draft Budget Report, also on this agenda.]

4

Cosham Fire Station

4.1

The Group received a progress report on the suggestion to redevelop Cosham Fire Station on part of the former Johnson & Johnson site as part of a tri-partite scheme with the other two emergency services. Although the site is excellent from an operational (emergency cover) standpoint, it became apparent from meetings of officers from the three services with Portsmouth City Council that such a scheme is unlikely to be progressed. The site previously identified as suitable in the Portsmouth Local Plan - a car parking area at the King George V Playing Fields - would continue to be pursued as the preferred site for the scheme with Portsmouth City Council.

5

Upgrading of Headquarters' reception area

5.1

The Group was shown plans and indicative costs prepared by the Authority's interior design adviser to refurbish the reception area. It was agreed that the scheme should proceed and include improved access for people with disabilities including automatic-opening main doors. It was noted that the cost of the scheme would be funded through virement within existing non-pay budgets.

6

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

6.1

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 of the Asset Management Working Group held 20 October 2004 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:

Notes of the meeting of the Asset Management Working Group held 20 October 2004 (note: some items discussed were of a confidential nature owing to commercial sensitivity.

NB The list excludes:

1 Published works

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

Secretarial/WP/Word/Corporate/HFRA FGP 19 1 05 Asset Mangement 20 10 04 - DH/JMW/10/1/2004