Archived decisions
ITEM 5
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 15 February, 2006.
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); Mrs. E. Baker; R. Baulk; I. Beagley;
K. Chapman; M.G. 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.
Also present were Mrs W. Allen, Mr M. James and Miss S. Roberts the three Independent Members recommended for appointment later in the meeting.
64 APOLOGIES
No apologies were received.
65 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or a 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.
There were no declarations of interest made by Members under this item.
66 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 7 December, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the initial for Mrs Baker being corrected.
67 DEPUTATIONS
The Chairman reported changes to the agenda on those making deputations in that for personal reasons Mr C. Hawks was unable to attend and Mr R. North would therefore be speaking in his place. Also, Julie Barton and Sharon Eames had indicated a wish to postpone their deputation about Regional Control Centres until the Authority meeting on 31 May 2006. Finally, it was noted that a further application had been received from Councillor M. Andrewes of Portsmouth City Council who wished to make a deputation against the proposed trial at Copnor Fire Station. The Authority took a vote on this and agreed not to hear his late deputation as it did not comply with the relevant Standing Order.
At this point, the following deputations were received:-
(i) Mr E. Burrows over concerns about the possible future downgrade of the Eastleigh, Copnor and Waterlooville Fire Stations.
(ii) Mr. R. North over concerns about those changes proposed in relation to the crewing of the first response vehicle, the downgrade of automated fire alarm equipment response and the changes of duty systems.
68 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
There were no Members' questions.
69 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported on the outcome of a two-day work place audit assessment and congratulated the Service on being presented with a certificate for its audit assessment systems.
The Chairman reported the present situation over the ongoing delay in the Government's new fire safety legislation. He went on to refer to letters of thanks which had been received from Chief Fire Officer Roy Wilsher and Robert Ellis, the Leader of Hertfordshire County Council for the assistance provided by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in relation to the Buncefield Oil Depot incident which took place on 11 December, 2005. Members of the Authority asked the Chief Officer to also convey their thanks to those HFRS fire fighters involved.
The Chairman reminded the Authority of the Members' Awareness Session taking place that afternoon at Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters and hoped as many Members as possible would attend. Finally, he reported on the appointment of a new Relationship Manager, Stephen Taylor, at the Audit Commission and congratulated former Fire Authority Member Mrs E.S.M. Barron on being appointed as Chairman of Firebuy, the national fire procurement organisation.
70 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received an amended updated version of the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the group areas. In noting the report, it was agreed that the Chief Officer would in future also highlight any specific fire prevention youth schemes within the report.
71 INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2006-2009
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer on the draft Integrated Risk Management Plan 2006-2009 (Item 8 in the Minute Book).
The Chief Officer introduced the report and explained the development and contents of the draft Plan including its key elements and the issues it sought to address over the coming years.
During a full and detailed discussion, the Authority supported an amendment to the recommendation to reinforce what was already intended as part of the Plan which was to build a new community fire station for Cosham once a site had been agreed and to have full public consultation on the outcome of the proposed trials affecting Copnor Fire Station.
Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
That the Authority approves the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2006/2009 and, by so doing:
(i) confirms its commitment to build a new community fire station for Cosham as soon as the site is agreed with Portsmouth City Council;
(ii) confirms no decision will be made concerning Copnor Fire Station until the end of the trial period and the results of the trial have been evaluated;
(iii) agrees that full public consultation will take place, including with neighbourhood forums, after the trial has been evaluated.
72 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 20 JANUARY 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held on 20 January 2006 (Item 9 in the Minute Book) and agreed to consider the recommendations in relation to the budget for 2006/07, the Capital Programme and associated Prudential Indicators and the Treasury Management Strategy as part of the subsequent item on the HFRS Budget 2006/07 (Minute 73 refers).
73 HFRS BUDGET 2006/07
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the budget for 2006/07. The Treasurer circulated at the meeting an updated Appendix 2(b) to the report in relation to the Outline Budget 2006/07 - 2008/09 (Item 10(i) in the Minute Book).
RESOLVED:
(i) That the revenue budget, as set out in Appendix 2a of the report, be approved.
(ii) That the capital programme, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report, be approved.
(iii) That the total budget requirement for the general expenses of the Authority for the year beginning 1 April 2006 be £59,560,000.
(iv) That the Authority's basic council tax for the year beginning 1 April 2006 be £53.64.
(v) That the Authority's council tax for the year beginning 1 April 2006 for properties in each tax band be:
Band A £35.76 Band E £65.56
Band B £41.72 Band F £77.48
Band C £47.68 Band G £89.40
Band D £53.64 Band H £107.28
(vi) That precepts be issued totalling £32,748,548.13 on the billing authorities in Hampshire, requiring the payment, in such instalments and on such dates set by them and previously notified to the Authority, in proportion to the tax base of each billing authority's area as determined by them which are set out below:
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council 60,116.70
East Hampshire District Council 46,626.44
Eastleigh Borough Council 42,628.47
Fareham Borough Council 41,536.00
Gosport Borough Council 26,476.40
Hart District Council 36,860.00
Havant Borough Council 42,327.00
New Forest District Council 71,105.30
Portsmouth City Council 57,623.10
Rushmoor Borough Council 29,980.50
Southampton City Council 64,534.00
Test Valley Borough Council 44,503.00
Winchester City Council 46,207.85
Total: 610,524.76
(vii) That the Prudential Indicators set out in Appendix 4 of the report, be approved.
(viii) That the Treasury Management Strategy set out in Appendix 5 of the report, be approved.
(ix) That delegated authority be given to the Chief Officer, in conjunction with the Chairman, to approve extensions to the contract for the Headquarters' building development scheme involving vehicle and equipment accommodation and training facilities for the Urban Search and Rescue Team, and extended training facilities for compartment fire behaviour training, subject to the necessary external sources of funding being confirmed and subject to a report back on progress to the next appropriate meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
74 REGIONAL MANAGEMENT PLAN - UPDATE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) outlining the key issues which arose from the South East Regional Management Board meeting held on 18 January 2006.
75 NATIONAL FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT RESPONSE
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) about the comments made on the draft National Framework 2006/08 and Strategy for Children and Young People. In response to a Member's request, the Chief Officer undertook to invite a representative(s) of the Youth Parliament to a future meeting of the Authority.
RESOLVED:
That the contents of the Draft National Framework Document 2006/08 and Strategy for Children and Young People consultation submission be noted.
76 DISPOSAL OF HOUSING - REVISED POLICY
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of a consultation exercise held with staff and their representatives on the Authority's proposed revision to its housing disposal policy. It was noted that no substantial objections had been received.
RESOLVED:
That, in cases where residential properties (owned by the Authority) are declared surplus to operational requirements as a result of changes to duty systems and/or the establishment, existing tenants will be given the appropriate notice to quit in accordance with their service tenancy agreements; and those tenants who have been in occupation of the property for a minimum of 12 months prior to the date of changes to the duty system and/or the establishment, will be offered the opportunity to purchase the property at full market value - less 5% or £10,000 (whichever is the lesser sum) - in recognition of the financial saving to the Authority of the normal administrative costs and professional fees associated with disposal.
77 MINUTES OF STANDARDS COMMITTEE - 9 DECEMBER 2005
The Authority received the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 9 December 2005 (Item 14 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendation about increasing the number of Independent Members from two to three.
78 APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on the proposed appointment of Independent Members to serve on the Authority's Standards Committee.
RESOLVED:
That Mrs Wendy Allen, Martin James and Miss Sandra Roberts be appointed as the three Independent Members to serve on the Authority's Standards Committee for a four year period expiring in February 2010; and that Messrs. Ellis, Hamer and Humble be invited as reserves.
79 MINUTES OF PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE - 6 JANUARY 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review Committee held on 6 January 2006 (Item 16 in the Minute Book).
80 LGA ANNUAL CONFERENCE: 4-7 JULY 2006 IN BOURNEMOUTH
The Authority considered the appointment of Members to attend this Fire Conference.
RESOLVED:
That Councillors D. Horne; R. Price; R. Smith and M.J. Woodhall be appointed to attend the LGA Annual Conference between 4-6 July 2006 in Bournemouth; the Chief Officer to arrange for a day ticket for interested Members if such tickets are available.
81 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting.
82 HFRA GRIEVANCE APPEAL - 3 JANUARY 2006
The Authority received and noted the confidential report of the Clerk (Item 19 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of the HFRA Grievance Appeal held on 3 January 2006. 4gM040206