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 20 January, 2006.

PRESENT:

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

18 APOLOGIES

      Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hutcheson.

19 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.

20 MINUTES


      The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 October, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

      Matter Arising:

      Asset revaluation work is underway and being carried out by Hampshire County Council. It is expected to be complete by the end of February and the outcomes will be presented to the Committee.

21 DEPUTATIONS

      There were no deputations made under this item.

22 BUDGET MONITORING 2005/06 (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 2005/06.

    The Treasurer provided an oral update to the effect that the £250,000 call on the general reserve for backdated pension contributions was not, following the latest government guidance, now expected to be needed. The Committee discussed various aspects of the 2005/06 budget and asked for further information from the Chief Officer in regard to the write-off of £5,000. Members would take this information into consideration and if necessary consider the matter further at the next appropriate meeting of the Committee.

    RESOLVED:

    1. That the latest budget monitoring position be noted and in particular the effect of financing the impact of amending reports through the general reserve.

    2. That approval be given to:

        a. make an additional revenue contribution to capital of £69,000 in accordance with the programme proposed by the Asset Management Working Group; and

        b. writing off £5,000 of debt as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

23 UPDATED DRAFT BUDGET 2006/07

      The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) regarding the Authority's budget strategy for 2006/07.

      It was noted that the Authority was in a sound financial position and consequently the council tax increase required, expected to be around 2.7%, was likely to compare favourably with those of other fire and rescue authorities. The Chief Officer did, however, mention that some job evaluation appeals were currently ongoing which might have some impact on the budget needed for 2006/07: the results of these, together with the final tax base data, will be taken into account by the Authority when it sets the actual level of Council Tax on 15 February 2006. Discussion centred around this, together with the impact of the Integrated Risk Management Plan and changes due in 2006/07 in the pension scheme.

      Through consultation meetings members of the Committee believed that the Retained Firefighters Union (RFU) had made a good case for further building maintenance provision at retained fire stations and agreed to add £50,000 per annum to the capital programme for this purpose.

      RESOLVED:

      1. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority that the budget for 2006/07 be set as closely as possible to a level which requires a Council Tax increase of 2.7%.

      2. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority to approve the Capital Programme and associated Prudential Indicators (appendices 3 and 5 of the report) subject to the incorporation of an amount of £50,000 for the repair and maintenance of buildings.

      3. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority to approve the Treasury Management Strategy (appendix 6 to the report).

      4. That it be noted that the final budget and council tax will be set by the Authority at its meeting on 15 February 2006.

24 DISPOSAL OF HOUSING - REVISED POLICY

      The Committee considered the oral report of the Chief Officer concerning staff feedback from ongoing consultations on the revised housing policy.

    RESOLVED:

    That the current position in the consultation process be noted.

25 URGENT PURCHASE OF VEHICLE

      The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) about a decision to approve, as a matter of urgency, the purchase of a second-hand vehicle.

      This item was not exempt and was accordingly held in open session.

    RESOLVED:

    That the action of the Chief Officer to approve the purchase of a used vehicle from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) be endorsed.