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 21 October, 2005

PRESENT:

Councillors: P.A. Heath (Chairman); I.F.E. Beagley; D. Horne; K. House; P.R.C. Hutcheson; H. Jones; R.H. Price; D. Simpson; M.J. Woodhall.

10 APOLOGIES

      Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M.F. Cartwright.

11 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 matters were discussed.

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

12 MINUTES


      The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

      Matter Arising:

      On Minute 124 the Deputy Treasurer reported that, in the draft memorandum on the accounts for 2004/05, the Audit Commission had stated that the values of property assets in the Authority's balance sheet were understated due to the five-yearly revaluation due in 2004/05 not having taken place. This could lead to qualification of the accounts if not rectified. Accordingly, it was agreed that the Treasurer would update the figures for 2004/05 using currently available evidence and price indexes, and agree this amendment with the Chairman for submission to the Audit Commission by the end of October. The Chief Officer will commission a full revaluation prior to the closure of the 2005/06 accounts.

13 DEPUTATIONS

      There were no deputations made under this item.

14 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

      RESOLVED:

    That, by virtue of Paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item.

15 VEHICLE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME 2006/07 TO 2008/09

    The Committee considered the confidential report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing the vehicle replacement needs for the three years 2006/07 to 2008/09 and a summary of progress for the vehicle replacement programme for 2003/04 and 2005/06.

    It was noted that the recommendations were within the terms of reference for this Committee and did not, therefore, need to be put before the Authority.

    RESOLVED:

    1. That, the vehicles replacement programme 2006/07 to 2008/09 be approved.

    2. That, for the reasons set out in paragraph 5 of the report, the contract for the 2006/07 pumping appliances be let to the existing supplier, Emergency One (UK) Ltd.

    AT THIS POINT THE COMMITTEE REVERTED TO NON-CONFIDENTIAL SESSION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING.

16 BUDGET MONITORING 2005/06 (2)

      The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) setting out the latest budget predictions for the year. The underlying position was much the same as in the first monitoring report for the year, with some £0.6m of gross underspend expected, but now offset as planned by additional spending on modernisation such that the net predicted underspend is £208,000 against the original 2005/06 budget.

      In response to a Member's question about the Urban Search and Rescue Team the Chief Officer undertook to arrange a demonstration by the Team for Authority Members at an appropriate time in the future.

      RESOLVED:

      That the latest budget position be noted.

17 BUDGET STRATEGY 2006/07

      The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the budget strategy for the next financial year. Members discussed, ahead of the Government settlement due in early December, the broad potential impact upon the Council Tax of various options for the 2006/07 budget.

    The Committee noted that combining new policy developments with expected budget changes would lead to a likely increase of £2.3 million or 3.8% over the 2005/06 budget. Also, that this could lead to a council tax increase in the range 4.7% to 7.0%, depending on the level of grant received within the settlement range indicated in the latest Government figures However, Members were mindful that Government's initial indications are that Authorities with council tax increases above 5% are likely to be capped. They wished to ensure that any council tax was close to current inflation levels. It was agreed that the Treasurer would bring forward a range of budget proposals, with one of the options to consider being a budget proposal based on an inflation only increase.

    RESOLVED:

    1. That the Treasurer and Chief Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, be authorised to finalise the Annual Efficiency Statement.

    2. That the budget preparation process continues with the aim of identifying options that would ensure a council tax increase as close to current inflation levels as possible.