Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 1 June, 2005. ITEM 3
PRESENT:
Councillors: R. Baulk; I. Beagley; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; M. Cooper; L. Dunsdon; Mrs J. Frankum; E.F. Gale MBE; P. Galton; D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; H. Jones; R. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Sam Payne; R.H. Price; D. Simpson; R. Smith; R. Williams; M.J. Woodhall.
1 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs E. Baker and K. House
2 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED:
That Councillor M.F. Cartwright be appointed Chairman until the annual meeting of the Authority in 2006.
3 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMEN
RESOLVED:
That Councillors P.A. Heath and R. Smith be appointed Vice-Chairmen until the annual meeting of the Authority in 2006.
4 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.
5 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 9 February, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
6 DEPUTATIONS
Pursuant to Standing Order 17, the Authority received two Deputations at the meeting;
(i) Regional Control Centres
Sharon Eames and Julie Barton made a case against Regional Control Centres and highlighted its impact on existing Control Room staff.
(ii) Grey Book on Pay and Allowances
Andy Tait raised his particular concerns about issues involving the Grey Book regarding pay and allowances in the Fire Service.
7 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman welcomed new Members to their first meeting. He undertook to write and thank former Members for their past contributions. He was pleased to announce that Democratic Services in the Chief Executive's Department at the County Council had been awarded the ISO9001 quality accreditation. He introduced Kelvin Ridout and Karen Widdowson from that office who also Clerked HFRA meetings. He went onto encourage Members, who had not already done so, to contact the Chief Officer at HFRS for a Home Fire Safety Check. Finally, the Chairman paid tribute to Divisional Officer Mick Johns who had taken part in a recent visit to Chile. The visit had been jointly funded with the British Embassy. This initiative enabled assistance to be given to Valparaiso Fire Brigade on emergency planning, tunnel fires and on heritage risks. Also, training was provided in other areas including on hazardous materials, ship fire fighting and off-shore response and on collapsed buildings etc. The visit had been a notable success and the support given by HFRS was greatly appreciated.
8 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the Group Areas.
9 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES, DEPUTIES AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the appointment of committees, deputies and other appointments. It was reported that the County Council's Membership on the Authority, as shown in Appendix 1 to the report was incorrect and should be amended to include Councillor P.R.C. Hutcheson.
RESOLVED:
(i) That, for the purposes of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the allocation of seats on the Committees of the Authority, be as follows:
Committee |
Conservative Group |
Liberal Democrat Group |
Labour Group |
Finance and General Purposes |
6 |
4 |
1 |
Human Resources |
6 |
4 |
1 |
Performance Review |
5 |
3 |
1 |
Governance |
5 |
3 |
1 |
Standards |
4 |
2 |
1 |
(ii) That, Members be appointed to the five Committees and other groups, as follows;
10 REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD
The Authority considered the note by the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) about the Regional Management Board Meeting held on 13 April 2005.
As a result of continuing Member concerns about the intention to establish Regional Control Centres and over Regional Management Board pre-meetings, it was
RESOLVED:
That the Authority takes the opportunity at its September meeting to debate the issues concerning Regional Control Centres and the working arrangements of the Regional Management Board, including its pre-meetings.
11 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - 8 MARCH 2005
The Authority received the Minutes of the Governance Committee held on 8 March 2005 (Item 12 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendations on a Code of Corporate Governance and on granting an Indemnity to Members and Employees.
12 MINUTES OF PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE -
9 MARCH 2005
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review Committee held on 9 March 2005 (Item 13 in the Minute Book).
13 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE -
20 APRIL 2005
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 20 April 2005 (Item 14 in the Minute Book).
14 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 26 APRIL 2005
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 26 April 2005 (Item 15 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendation on "under and overspend".
15 NOTES OF COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY STRATEGIC STEERING GROUP - 12 APRIL 2005
The Authority received the notes of the Community Fire Safety Strategic Steering Group held on 12 April 2005 (Item 16 in the Minute Book).
16 NOTES OF FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY GROUP - 14 APRIL 2005
The Authority received the notes of the Fairness and Dignity Group held on 14 April 2005 (Items 17 in the Minute Book).
17 APPOINTMENTS TO CONFERENCES
(i) LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition at Harrogate
on 5-8 July 2005
The Authority considered the appointment of Members to this Conference and Exhibition.
RESOLVED:
That Councillors M.F. Cartwright and R.H. Price be authorised to attend the LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition at Harrogate on 5-8 July 2005.
(ii) Annual Assembly of Standards Committee at Birmingham
on 5 and 6 September 2005
The Authority considered the appointment of a Member to accompany the Chairman of the Standards Committee at this Annual Assembly.
RESOLVED:
That Councillor D. Harrison be authorised, in addition to Councillor M.J. Woodhall, to attend the Annual Assembly of Standards Committee at Birmingham on 5 and 6 September 2005.
(iii) Fire 2005 at Manchester on 2 and 3 November 2005
The Authority considered the appointment of Members to attend this Conference.
RESOLVED:
That Councillors M.F. Cartwright; D. Horne and R. Price be authorised to attend Fire 2005 at Manchester on 2 and 3 November 2005.
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