Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item...

15/03/20057 December 2005

Error! Bookmark not defined.Regional Management Board Update

Report by the Chief Officer

Contact: John Bonney, Chief Officer - 02380 626830 ([email protected])

1

Summary

This paper outlines the key issues arising from the South East Regional Management Board meeting held on 19 October 2005.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.

2.1

That the Authority notes the content of this report.

3

Capacity Building Fund Bid

3.1

Hampshire is currently leading on formulating a bid for a Capacity Building Fund. Initial indications from GOSE are that such a bid is likely to be favourably considered. The bid seeks funding to support three posts for two years. The first of these would be to progress the region's Diversity Strategy. The post would also play a co-ordinating role to ensure locally based resources are used across the region to assist with diversity training and recruitment activities.

3.2

The second post would be to co-ordinate regional procurement activities, whilst the third post would effectively operate as the Project Manager to implement the findings of the recently commissioned review of training resources. A further element of the bid is to fund activities which share best practice across the region. The aim being, to use the experience and strengths of individual authorities to assist those authorities which currently under perform in those same areas.

3.3

Work is now progressing with the assistance of the North East Region Change Manager and South East Programme Manager to formulate the full bid application.

4

Regional Control Centre

4.1

A presentation was given by Marie Winckler, who leads on Regional Control Centres for the ODPM. Now that all the sites have been identified, preparations for transition can begin, which include the staffing issues. The intention is to appoint three of the Regional Control Centre Directors early to assist with the national project. Ms Winckler discussed the business case and the ODPM remain insistent that the full business case will show savings of 30%. The full business case will not be available until Summer 2006, but the individual costs will become available separately from now until then (this includes accommodation and technology).

4.2

There are three short listed companies to provide the technology infrastructure for the project. There continues to be widespread concern about the lack of a full business case and uncertainty over project timescales. I attach a copy of the letter sent to the Minister on this matter and his reply (appendices A and B).

4.3

The South East project is undertaking an independent review on potential staffing costs, this will be separate from the ODPM assessment to provide a cross check.

5

Regional Resilience

5.1

This paper sought consent from Authorities to undertake an audit as to their preparedness to meet the new obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act. This will provide a picture across the region on what work needs to be done and how much of this we can do collaboratively. Buckinghamshire, as the lead authority, will co-ordinate this exercise.

5.2

An update was given on the two teams from the UK Urban Search and Rescue contingency deployed to Pakistan. Pleasingly these teams were able to rescue 25 live casualties.

6

Procurement Workstream

6.1

Two information papers were provided from the procurement workstream. One detailed the structure of the Fire Services' new national procurement agency, FireBuy Ltd. The board of the body will consist of a Chair appointed by open competition, six Directors appointed by open competition and three ex Officer Directors (LGA, CFOA and LPEFA). In 2006 and 2007/8, ODPM will provide up to £1.8 m each year to run FireBuy. The other paper described the planned work activities and direction of travel of the procurement workstream.

It was strongly felt that the South East region should aim to get its representative on the board of FireBuy.

7

Highlight Report

7.1

There are currently 35 separate projects operating within the six workstreams. Some key activities were highlighted. Firstly the Brigade Change Manager for the region has returned to his home Service. We are currently being supported by the Brigade Change Manager from the North East, who has particular expertise in applying for Capacity Building Funds.

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Regional Treasurer

8.1

As the Regional Management Board is a formally constituted body, the Audit Commission is required to appoint an auditor. As such, the Board was asked whether it wished to appoint a treasurer to liaise with the auditor. The Board is loathe to do this and is seeking a solution acceptable to the Commission.

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South East Human Resources Partnership

9.1

Hampshire as workstream lead presented a paper seeking commitment to a partnership of Authorities to deliver Regional Assessment and Development Centres. These will be a requirement of the IPDS regime and carry significant costs. Working collaboratively, initial estimates suggest a saving of some 20% maybe achievable. Clearly, however, such a contract to deliver this would need to be carefully crafted and managed. Hampshire sought to establish whether Authorities would be agreeable to develop a partnership in which Authorities would contribute towards an arrangement where a single individual would manage that process. As this was a significant issue on which Hampshire leads, the paper is attached as appendix C. The Regional Management Board supported the paper but asked that a final decision on whether to commit to the approach could be made at the forthcoming Away Day.

10

General

10.1

It was agreed that given the forthcoming spending implications, a Regional Management Board Away Day was to be arranged to discuss a strategy for dealing with such costs.

10.2

In relation to correspondence, the region has written to both the ODPM and LGA registering concerns as to the funding and governance implications of the Regional Control Centre. The ODPM reply has been circulated to Members.

Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

"None"

Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act.