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 26 April, 2005
PRESENT:
Councillors: P.A. Heath (Chairman); Mrs. E.S.M. Barron; M.F. Cartwright; D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R.H. Price; R. Smith; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J. Stocks.
113 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown and K. House.
114 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.
115 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 January, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Matter arising thereon : Minute 111 - updated draft budget 2005/06 - The Chief Officer reported that the council tax leaflet had been published and that the Service had received only positive feedback.
116 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations made under this item.
117 GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS FOR NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR FINANCING FIREFIGHTERS PENSIONS
The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) setting out the details of the Government's proposals together with a suggested response to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).
Appendix 1 to the report detailed the suggested response to the ODPM. It was agreed that point 4 relating to lump sum payments should be amended to state that, should payments be spread, it would be preferable to do so over a period of three years.
RESOLVED:
That the Treasurer respond to the ODPM in line with Appendix 1 to the report including the suggested change to point 4.
118 CARRY FORWARD 2004/05 UNDERSPEND
The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) recommending to the Authority a carry forward of underspends totalling £0.5m and their being added to the relevant budget holders 2005/06 cash limits.
RESOLVED:
That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority that it approves the procedures set out in Paragraph 2.3 to the report in relation to under and overspends and also the carry forward of the underspends totalling £0.5m and their being added to the relevant budget holders' 2005/06 cash limits.
119 ASSET MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP MEETING 11 MARCH, 2005
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the items discussed at the Working Group on 11 March, 2005.
The Chief Officer reported a number of updates on property matters since the publication of the report. In particular it was noted that the Headquarters redevelopment scheme had been modified to allow adaptations to the training rooms and it was likely that temporary accommodation would be required at the headquarters site during the redevelopment. It was anticipated that building works would commence on site in September, 2005.
RESOLVED:
(i) That, in light of the outcome of the Performance Review Committee's consideration of the Best Value Review of Vehicle Workshops, the need to defer consideration of the business case to support Phase 2 of the Headquarters Development be noted.
(ii) That the Committee note the proposal by the ODPM to provide and fund a practical training facility and vehicle compound at the Headquarters site to support the capability and capacity of the service to fulfil its expanded responsibilities for dealing with civil protection incidents: and delegates authority to the Chief Officer to conduct negotiations with the ODPM to ensure that the facilities are provided making optimum use of the Authority's land and property assets.
(iii) That a parcel of land at Lyndhurst Fire Station (hatched on the plan in the committee report) be declared surplus to the Authority's current and long-term requirements; and that the Chief Officer (in conjunction with the Authority's professional estates advisors) be given delegated authority to negotiate its disposal to the Forestry Commission on terms that are in the Authority's best operational and financial interests.