Archived decisions
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 11 15/03/200531 May 2006
Error! Bookmark not defined.The Regional Management Board Report by the Chief Officer |
Contact: Name/Telephone/Email: Chief Officer John Bonney |
1 |
Summary | |
1.1 |
This paper outlines the key issues arising from the South East Regional Management Board meeting held on 5 April 2006. | |
2 |
RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined. | |
2.1 |
That the report be noted. | |
3 |
Fire Investigation, Co-responding and Partnership Working | |
3.1 |
Three composite papers were discussed at the RMB meeting on 5 April 2006 covering fire investigation, co-responding and partnership working across the region. These reports concluded three research projects which examined good practice and co-operation between the nine Authorities. Each paper included a review of current activities in these areas as well as providing guidance for Authorities to improve collaborative working. The reports were accepted and it was agreed to distribute across the region, with ODPM and other regions. | |
4 |
Regional Treasurer | |
4.1 |
Following previous discussions, it was agreed not to appoint a regional treasurer at this time but it will be reconsidered as part of a wider review of governance and business processes of the Board. This is to be undertaken by officers over the next few months. | |
5 |
Regional Procurement | |
5.1 |
As a result of an examination of the region's procurement and the development of the national procurement agency FireBuy, it was recommended that a regional specialist Procurement Manager be approved for six months to deliver three key objectives. | |
5.1.1 |
Spend analysis for each Fire Authority in conjunction with the South East Centre of Excellence. | |
5.1.2 |
Development of regional procurement strategy with a three year work plan informed by the outcomes of the spend analysis that meets the requirements of the National Procurement Strategy. | |
5.1.3 |
Development of the business case for the appointment of a regional Procurement Manager. | |
5.2 |
It is estimated that savings in the region of £250k can be achieved within two years. After a lengthy debate it was agreed, in principle, to establish the post, and officers were asked to pursue this. | |
6 |
Representational Arrangements | |
6.1 |
Following representations from Hampshire, an interim report has been produced on the representational arrangements to the RMB. Given the interest in this, I have enclosed the report (appendix A). It was agreed that further research was needed, that the review gains a view from the LGA and considers the wider issue of business processes and workload spread across the workstreams and that a terms of reference be brought forward to the next meeting. | |
7 |
Business Plan | |
7.1 |
The 2006/2007 Business Plan was presented, this catalogues the work completed by the RMB and future projects for the workstreams. This will be formally published in the next few weeks and I will ensure all Members are provided with a copy. | |
8 |
Regional Control Centre Project | |
8.1 |
Anne Downing provided an update report on the regional control centre project. The ODPM will be informing fire and rescue services in the near future to clarify for each organisation what will be "in" and "out" of scope in terms of activities undertaken by the RCC. | |
8.2 |
With regard to consultation on the ODPM proposals for governance of RCCs, the proposal is that on the memorandum and articles of association there will be a national response. On the more technical issues, the aim will be to co-ordinate a regional response. Further discussion on this will take place on 5 May 2006 at an RMB Extraordinary meeting. As you know, I have invited all Members to make comments and the matter will be discussed at CMT with a draft report to the HFRA meeting on 31 May 2006. | |
9 |
Highlight Report | |
9.1 |
Finally the meeting concluded with the RMB "Highlight" report which details the progress across the 23 projects in the 6 workstreams. The report also included the risk log for the board which identifies 7 key strategic risks. | |
10 |
Appointment of Vice-Chairman | |
10.1 |
The Authority will be pleased to note that Councillor Cartwright was appointed as Vice-Chairman of the RMB and will take over as Chairman of the Board in April 2007. | |
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. |
Secretarial/WP/Corporate/HFRA/HFRA 31 5 06 -RMB-Error! Bookmark not defined.
Appendix A |
Report No: |
RMB/16/06 |
Meeting Date: |
5 April 2006 | |
Agenda Item No: |
12 |
REPORT TO THE SOUTH EAST FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD |
Interim Review of RMB Constitution with regard to Number of Members
KEY ISSUE/DECISION |
For Information
CONSULTATION |
The other seven Regional Management Boards have been consulted.
RECOMMENDATION |
To explore further the current political make-up, population, number of employees and revenue budget of the 9 Constituent Authorities in the South East, to further advise the RMB and to bring a further report to the RMB for their consideration.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION |
Arising from RMB minutes of 18 January 2006.
LEAD/ CONTACT OFFICER: Des Prichard - Clerk to RMB
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 01323 462050/mobile: 07876 133611
EMAIL: [email protected]
BACKGROUND PAPERS:
1. Fire & Rescue Services Act 2004
2. National Framework Document
3. SE Regional Fire & Rescue Services RMB Constitutional Documents
INTRODUCTION
At their meeting on 18 January 2006, Members of the RMB considered a request from Hampshire Fire Authority to consider increasing membership of the Board from nine to 15, the additional six members being allocated by the political parties to achieve proportionality.
Members expressed concerns that the Board could become too large and unwieldy if all political parties requested representation, although Kent & Medway Fire Authority had received similar requests for a review of the Board's membership. It was agreed that officers bring a report outlining the options available to a future meeting of the Board.
It was noted that the Board's constitution would have to be examined and Members were reminded that this was a political decision to be taken by Members following advice from officers.
BACKGROUND
The South East Fire & Rescue Services Regional Management Board was set up on 1 April 2004, with each of the nine constituent Fire Authorities appointing one of its elected Members as its representative to the Board.
ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY
Following Members' request for a review of the constitution, we have consulted the other seven RMBs in England to establish their arrangements, and a summary is attached at Appendix 1. Four of the seven RMBs have equality of representation and three have representation according to their populations. All RMBs have one vote per Member, and no votes for non-councillors; all seem satisfied with their present arrangements.
We have also consulted our nine constituent Fire Authorities to establish their political make-up, population, number of employees and revenue budget for 2005/06.
RECOMMENDATION
To explore further the current political make-up, population, number of employees and revenue budget of the 9 Constituent Authorities in the South East, to further advise the RMB and to bring a further report to the RMB for their consideration.
Appendix 1
OTHER RMBs CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
East of England |
South West England |
Yorkshire & Humberside |
East Midlands |
North West England |
West Midlands |
North East England | |
No of constituent authorities |
6 |
7 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
No of Councillors on RMB |
12 |
9 |
11 |
10 |
20 |
15 |
16 |
No of Councillors per authority |
2 |
5 have 1 each 2 have 2 each on basis of population |
4,3,2,2 on basis of population |
2 |
8 Gtr Manch 4 Mersey 4 Lancs 3 Cheshire 1 Cumbria - according to size |
3 each - in practise according to proport-onality |
4 (+ 4 nominated subs) |
One vote each? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes - 1 per CFA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Voting rules, if not one vote each |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Any non-Councillor votes? |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Requirement for unanimity or no dissent? |
Simple majority |
Majority - Chair's casting vote - for `Fundamental Decision' able to request deferment to next meeting to enable consideration by a member authority |
No |
Majority - Chair's casting vote |
No, but been unanimous so far |
Majority - Chair's casting vote |
No |
Plans for change? Working well? |
No Yes |
Officers would like change because of issue over what constitutes a `fundamental decision' but not sure there's political appetite for change at moment |
No |
No Yes |
No Yes |
Was changed in Nov 05 to facilitate political balance |