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 19 January, 2005

PRESENT:

Councillors: P.A. Heath (Chairman); Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; D. Horne; K. House;

P.R.C. Hutcheson; P. Luffman; R.H. Price; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; M.J. Woodhall.

105 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs E.S.M. Barron, M.S. Cartwright and J. Stocks.

106 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 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.

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

107 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

108 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

109 BUDGET MONITORING 2004/05 (3)

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the monitoring of the budget for 2004/05.

RESOLVED:

      That the latest budget position be noted.

110 ASSET MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP - MEETING HELD ON
20 OCTOBER 2004

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the items discussed at the Working Group on 20 October 2004.


      In considering the report Members expressed concerns about the delay in completing the Best Value Review of Vehicle Workshops and the potential impact on project timescales. It was noted that these concerns would be dealt with by the recommendations under Minute No. 111 that the Authority delegate authority to the Finance and General Purposes Committee to determine the business case for relocating workshops and that the Authority consider a Capital Programme which incorporated expenditure of professional fees associated with Phase II up to a maximum of £100,000 to enable detailed specifications to be prepared and to allow tender prices to be obtained for both phases. The Committee were also advised that if the two phases were to be potentially combined in this way, EU tendering processes would need to cover the full project requirement; there was also a risk, which members accepted, that professional fees might prove to have been spent to no benefit in the event that the Authority decided not to proceed with Phase II of the redevelopment plan.

      The Committee were also informed that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) had indicated to the Fire Service that a higher sum may be allocated for the headquarters redevelopment as the Government's vehicle accommodation needs were being reviewed. It was noted that Members would be kept informed about any developments on this matter.


      RESOLVED:

      (i) That the report of the Asset Management Working Group held on 20 October be noted.

      (ii) That the Chairman of the Performance Review Committee be advised of the Committee's concerns about the delay in completing the Best Value Review of Vehicle Workshops and the potential impact on project timescales.

111 UPDATED DRAFT BUDGET 2005/06

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the updated draft budget for 2005/06.

The Chief Officer also updated the Committee on the consultation meeting that took place on 14 January 2005 with trade unions and with business and council tax payer groups.

      The consultation exercise had shown general satisfaction with the proposals. A summary of the main issues raised at the consultation meeting were circulated at the meeting (Appendix 1 to these Minutes). Members noted that concern had been expressed about the perceived deterioration in the condition of buildings, particularly the older retained fire stations and that representatives had asked whether any increases in funding for the repairs and maintenance of buildings was proposed. Members took the view that there was possible scope to allocate some additional funding from general contingencies and suggested that this be put forward to the Authority.


      RESOLVED:

      That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority at its meeting on 9 February 2005:

      (i) That the draft budget of £60.095m presented, representing an approximate 1.5% council tax increase be approved, plus £100,000 for the repair and maintenance of buildings as highlighted at the budget consultation meeting.

      (ii) That the Capital Programme and associated Prudential Indicators (Appendices 3 and 5) be approved.

      (iii) That the Treasury Management Strategy (Appendix 6) be approved.

      (iv) That the Finance and General Purposes Committee be given delegated authority to decide at its meeting on 26 April 2005 whether to proceed with Phase II (the workshops building) element of the headquarters project.

      (v) That a Capital Programme incorporating expenditure on professional fees associated with Phase II up to a maximum of £100,000 to enable detailed specifications to be prepared and allow tender prices to be obtained for both phases.

112 DRAFT FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing revised financial regulations.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority that the revised Financial Regulations be adopted and the existing Financial Regulations be deleted with effect from 1 April 2005.