Archived decisions

    AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 9 February, 2005. Item 5

PRESENT:

    Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); Mrs. A.E. Bailey; Mrs. E. Baker; R. Baulk; Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; A. Bentley; K. Chapman; P. Galton; Mrs. D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; D. Horne; K. House; P.R.C. Hutcheson; P. Luffman; R. McIntosh; R.H. Price; K.P.J. Searle; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks; R. Williams; M.J. Woodhall.

309 APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Councillors E.F. Gale MBE and D.A. Kirk.

310 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matters 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.

311 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 8 December, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

312 DEPUTATION

Pursuant to Standing Order 17, the Authority received a deputation by Mr. E. Burrows of the Fire Brigades Union over concerns about the Retained Firefighters Union and Fire Officer's Association being recognised trade unions in Hampshire. A copy of the statement read by Mr. Burrows at the meeting appears as Item 4 in the Minute Book.

313 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS

There were no Members' questions under this item.

314 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

      (i) The Chairman spoke with sadness about the deaths of two Hertfordshire Firefighters Michael Miller aged 26 from Stevenage and Jeff Wornham aged 28 from Royston. They had been fatally injured whilst attending a fire incident in Stevenage on 2 February, 2005. Also, he and the Liberal Democrat Group Spokesperson paid warm tributes to former County Councillor and Fire Authority Member Tony Bolt who had died in January, 2005. Those at the Authority meeting stood for a minute's silence in memory of Tony Bolt and the two firefighters.

      (ii) The Chairman welcomed the Corporate Performance Assessment Team who were attending the Authority meeting on this occasion. He went on to congratulate those Hampshire Fire Stations who had been involved in fundraising following the Tsunami disaster on 26 December, 2004. The Chief Officer reported that their activities had raised £44,000 towards the disaster fund. Reference was also made to a recent ODPM letter which complimented Chris Cooke and his HFRS team for their valuable work on the new Offices and Shops Guide in relation to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. The Authority were reminded of the "Awareness Session" organised for Members that afternoon and it was hoped as many as possible would be able to attend.

      (iii) Finally, the Chairman wished to thank each of those Members of the Fire Authority who would not be standing again in the forthcoming County Council elections in May, 2005. A special tribute was paid to Councillor Liz Barron for her most valuable contributions to the work of the Fire Authority over many years.

315 ACTIVITY REPORT

The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the Group Areas.

316 RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY AND STRATEGY - STRATEGIC RISK REGISTER

The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to a new comprehensive Risk Management Policy and Strategy and to the adoption of a draft Strategic Register.

In welcoming both the proposed Policy and Strategic Register, the Authority felt it was also important to involve other Members, as well as the Chairman, in maintaining these important documents and to keep the Authority advised of developments. Therefore, it was agreed that whilst giving delegated authority to the Chief Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, to make any subsequent amendments, any such proposed changes should in the first instance be considered by the Corporate Management Team. Also, it was felt that it might be an appropriate time to evaluate the existing constitutional status of the Authority's Corporate Management Team.





Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

      (i) That the current version of the Risk Management Policy and Strategy be approved and the Chief Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, be given delegated authority to make any subsequent amendments, after consideration by the Corporate Management Team, to keep the Policy relevant and up-to-date.

      (ii) That the current version of the Strategic Risk Register be adopted and the Chief Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, be given delegated authority to make any subsequent amendments, after consideration by the Corporate Management Team, in order to maintain an up-to-date record of the Authority's strategic risks.

      (iii) That Members of the Authority be asked to submit to the Director of Corporate Services, any initial comments they have on the current version of the Strategic Risk Register by 1 March, 2005.

      (iv) That the Chief Officer update the Authority on a six-monthly basis in relation to the Risk Management Policy and Strategic Risk Register.

      (v) That a report be prepared by the Clerk for the Governance Committee examining the constitutional status of the Authority's Corporate Management Team.

317 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 19 JANUARY, 2005

The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 19 January, 2005 (Item 9 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendation in relation to the draft Financial Regulations. A further recommendation on the updated draft budget for 2005/06 was considered as part of the next item (Minute 318 refers).

318 HFRA BUDGET 2005/06

The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the budget for 2005/06.

The Chief Officer and Treasurer highlighted the events leading to the preparation of the draft budget and outlined the conclusions of the consultation meetings that had taken place on 14 January, 2005 with trade unions and business and council tax payer groups. A copy of a draft Council Tax leaflet was circulated at the meeting for Members' information. Members commended the proposed budget and thanked those officers involved for their part in its preparation.

RESOLVED:

      (i) That the revenue budget, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, and incorporating the increase required to reach a total of £2m in reserves, be approved.

      (ii) That the capital programme, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report, be approved.

      (iii) That the total budget requirement for the general expenses of the Authority for the year beginning 1 April 2005 be £60,265,000.

      (iv) That the Authority's basic council tax for the year beginning 1 April 2005 be £52.11.

      (v) That the Authority's council tax for the year beginning 1 April 2005 for properties in each tax band be:

      Band A £34.74
      Band B £40.53
      Band C £46.32
      Band D £52.11
      Band E £63.69
      Band F £75.27
      Band G £86.85
      Band H £104.22

      (vi) That precepts be issued totalling £31,624,171 on the billing authorities in Hampshire, requiring the payment, in such instalments and on such dates set by them and previously notified to the Authority, in proportion to the tax base of each billing authority's area as determined by them which are set out below:

      Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council 58,822.30
      East Hampshire District Council 46,369.94
      Eastleigh Borough Council 42,139.85
      Fareham Borough Council 41,376.00
      Gosport Borough Council 26,083.80
      Hart District Council 36,156.40
      Havant Borough Council 42,029.00
      New Forest District Council 70,932.90
      Portsmouth City Council 58,005.90
      Rushmoor Borough Council 29,701.43
      Southampton City Council 65,253.90
      Test Valley Borough Council 44,324.00
      Winchester City Council 45,677.95 _____________
      606,873.37

      (vii) That the Prudential indicators, as set out in Appendix 5 of the report, be approved.

      (viii) That the Treasury Management Strategy, as set out in Appendix 6 of the report, be approved.

319 GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON THREE-YEAR REVENUE AND CAPITAL SETTLEMENTS

The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on proposals for the three-year revenue and capital settlements starting in 2006/07. Members agreed that the proposed written response to the ODPM should first be presented to the Corporate Management Team. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Treasurer, in consultation with the Chairman and, after consideration by the Corporate Management Team, be authorised to submit a written response to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on behalf of the Authority to the proposals for three-year settlements.

320 REGIONAL FIRE CONTROL GOVERNANCE

The Authority received the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the response to the Regional Management Board with regard to the future governance of the South-East Regional Control Centre.

Members once again raised their objection to the private pre-meetings which take place prior to the meetings of the full Regional Management Board. They felt strongly that these meetings should be held in public session. Whilst acknowledging that the Chairman had already raised this issue without any success, the Authority wished to convey their concerns to Members of the Board and for the matter to be considered at the next Board meeting. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Chairman and two Minority Group Spokespersons write on behalf of the Authority to Members of the Regional Management Board expressing the HFRA's grave concern about the private pre-meetings of the full Board which currently take place prior to the formal meetings of the Board and ask that this matter be included as an agenda item at the next Regional Management Board meeting.

321 DRAFT REVISED RACE EQUALITY SCHEME

The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on the draft revised Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan. It was noted that the same report had also been considered and agreed by the Human Resources Committee on 1 February, 2005.

In discussion the Authority commended the work being undertaken by the Chief Officer in responding to the criticism by the Commission for Racial Equality and supported the actions set out in the report seeking to address the issues involved.

RESOLVED:

      (i) That any comments on the content of the draft Service Order 1/6/4 Race Equality Scheme Revision II and the draft Action Plan (Appendix A to the report) be submitted to the Head of Human Resources at HFRS by 12 March, 2005.

      (ii) That any comments on the draft project Brief, Project Appraisal and Project Organisation (Appendix B to the report) be submitted to the Head of Human Resources at HFRS by 12 March , 2005.

      (iii) That the Authority endorses the content of the draft Race Equality Scheme report (Appendix A to the report) and the Chief Officer be given delegated authority to make any minor amendments to the Scheme in consultation with the Equality and Diversity Project Board once formal consultation had been completed.

      (iv) That the establishment of the Equality and Diversity Project Board be endorsed and the Chief Officer be given delegated authority to approve the financial Project Plan, in consultation with the Project Board, once the formal consultation process has been completed.

      (v) That the increase in the establishment by five posts, two permanent and three temporary contracts, as set out in paragraph 5.1.2 of the report, be approved.

322 THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE NATIONAL FRAMEWORK 2005/06

The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) highlighting the key changes to the Fire and Rescue Service National Framework following publication of the new document for 2005/06.

RESOLVED:

That the Authority notes the key points arising from the National Framework 2005/06 and endorses the role of the Corporate Management Team in monitoring progress against required actions.

323 INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2005/06

The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on the development and contents of its second Integrated Risk Management Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the draft Integrated Risk Management Plan be approved and the Chief Officer be authorised, in consultation with the Chairman, to incorporate in the final document any further feedback from the consultation process and any necessary revisions following an Equalities Impact Assessment of the Plan.

324 MINUTES OF HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 1 FEBRUARY, 2005

The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 1 February, 2005 (Item 16 in the Minute Book). The recommendation in relation to the draft revised Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan was dealt with earlier at this meeting (Minute 321 refers).

325 NOTES OF COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY STRATEGIC STEERING GROUP - 14 DECEMBER, 2004

The Authority received the notes of the Community Fire Safety Strategic Steering Group held on 14 December, 2004 (Item 17 in the Minute Book).

326 NOTES OF FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY GROUP - 13 JANUARY, 2005

The Authority received the notes of the Fairness and Dignity Group held on 13 January, 2005 (Item 18 in the Minute Book).

327 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF STANDARDS COMMITTEE - 5 AND 6 SEPTEMBER, 2005, BIRMINGHAM

The Authority considered the appointment of a Member(s) of the Standards Committee to attend this Conference.

RESOLVED:

That following the Annual Meeting of the HFRA on 1 June, 2005, the Chairman and 1 other Member of the HFRA Standards Committee be authorised to attend the Annual Assembly of Standards Committee on 5 and 6 September, 2005 in Birmingham.

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