Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 13 September, 2006.
PRESENT:
Councillors M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); I. Beagley; K. Chapman; L. Dunsdon;
Mrs. J. Frankum; P. Galton; D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; D. Horne; K. House;
P.R.C. Hutcheson; H. Jones; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Sam Payne; D. Simpson; R. Smith;
R. Williams; M.J. Woodhall.
105 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors R. Baulk, M.G. Cooper, E.F. Gale, MBE, L. Hunt, R. Kimber and R.H. Price.
106 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter 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.
107 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 31 May, 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Appointments (Minute 92)
It was noted that Councillor R. Williams had agreed to fill the vacancy on the Gosport Crime and Disorder Partnership.
108 DEPUTATIONS
The Chairman reported that Mrs. P. Kneller and Mr. T. Griffin had indicted a wish to postpone their deputation about the change to Day Crewing at Winchester Fire Station and issues regarding relocation allowances.
109 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
There were no Members' questions.
110 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported upon his intention to write on behalf of the Authority to wish Councillor R. Price a speedy recovery following a hospital operation.
He confirmed that an extraordinary meeting of the Authority had been arranged for 10 a.m. on 4 October 2006 at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh to discuss a proposed consultation on the future arrangements for collaboration with Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, including a possible merger.
The Chairman read from a letter on the Authority's response to a consultation about the revocation of the Devon Fire and Rescue Authority Combination Scheme to allow for the Combination of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority.
Finally, Members were reminded of the half day diversity training session commencing at 9 a.m. on 21 September 2006 at Fire Headquarters', Eastleigh and to return a summary of their skills, knowledge and experience to the Chief Officer to enable a "Skills Register" for Members to be created.
111 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received 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, the Authority supported a proposal for an item on the next Performance Review Committee about the current position concerning Home Fire Safety Check Visits. It was agreed that Councillor Sam Payne should be invited to that meeting for this item.
112 AUDIT COMMISSION'S ANNUAL GOVERNANCE REPORT
This item was withdrawn as the report from the Audit Commission was not ready. The Authority agreed that the matter would instead be dealt with by the Governance Committee on 29 September 2006.
113 REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD - UPDATE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) summarising the key issues arising from the South East Regional Management Board meeting held on 12 July, 2006.
114 STRATEGIC RISK REGISTER
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the current version of the Strategic Risk Register. Members supported an amendment to substitute the word "retain" for "gain" in the social/political risk category description.
RESOLVED:
(i) That, subject to substituting the word "retain" for "gain" in the social/political risk category description, the current version of the Strategic Risk Register be approved.
(ii) That the following two risks be removed from the current Register as they are now deemed to be low or very low risks:
· the failure to reduce the incidence of arson;
· the impact of Members of the Authority pursuing political and/or parochial interests and priorities.
115 CORPORATE AIMS
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on progress in achieving the current corporate aims and seeking approval to revised corporate aims and targets for the next three years commencing 1 April 2007. It was clarified that the reference in paragraph 4.3 of the report to "per 100,000 of the population" should instead read "per 10,000 of the population".
Members recognised the value of the corporate aims in providing the strategic direction for the Authority's Integrated Risk Management plans since 2004. They felt the revised aims would provide a sound basis for updating objectives and actions in the 2007 edition of the three year IRMP. The Chief Officer undertook to incorporate a Member's suggestion to use real rather than percentage figures as appropriate when dealing with the publicity about this item.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the progress made in achieving the current corporate aims be noted.
(ii) That approval be given to the following revised corporate aims and targets for the next three years commencing 1 April 2007:-
· Reduce the number of fires by 20% by 2010;
· Reduce fire deaths and injuries from accidental fires by 20% by 2010;
· Reduce the number of deliberate fires by 20% by 2010;
· Work with others to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the road by 40% by 2010;
· Be in the top 10 of best performing fire and rescue authorities in the Country by 2010.
116 HOUSE OF COMMONS' COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT ON THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the principal findings and recommendations of the House of Commons' Communities and Local Government Select Committee on the Fire and Rescue Service.
117 COMMENCEMENT OF THE REGULATORY REFORM (FIRE SAFETY) ORDER 2005
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) about the key implications of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which takes effect on 1 October 2006. The expectation was for the Authority to enforce the new Order by way of its Integrated Risk Management Plan.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the general implications for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 as summarised in the report be noted.
(ii) That the statutory duty placed on the Authority as an enforcer of the Order be noted.
118 HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE - SERVICE CONTINUITY FRAMEWORK
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the HFRS Service Continuity Framework. It was clarified that the reference in the report to `High (10 - Red)' should instead read `High (20 - Red)' in relation to the Strategic Risk Register.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the `HFRS Service Continuity Framework" be endorsed.
(ii) That a commitment be given to provide Member support during an emergency, as defined within the Framework.
(iii) That the impact on service continuity arrangements be taken into account in future decision making and risk assessments.
(iv) That it be noted that the relevant entry (Ref 01) in the Strategic Risk Register (Minute 114 of this meeting) has been amended from High (20 - Red) to Medium (15 - Amber) in the light of the action taken to produce the framework, and that the risk description for entry (Ref 02) be amended changing the word "gain" to "maintain".
119 HFRA - SCHEME OF DELEGATION
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) about the HFRA - Scheme of Delegation to its officers.
RESOLVED:
That the revisions to the Scheme of Delegation of responsibilities to officers as set out in the report be approved.
120 COSHAM FIRE STATION - PROPOSED NEW SITE
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 16 in the Minute Book) about the proposed new site for the relocation and redevelopment of Cosham Fire Station. A formal response was currently sought by Portsmouth City Council to a number of pre-conditions which it wished to impose in relation to the disposal of land for this purpose. Members supported the proposed response to the City Council as set out in the report but wished to make clear that any recommendation to close Copnor Fire Station would need to be determined by the Authority as part of a future Integrated Risk Management Plan. Also, whilst agreeing to the proposal to delete the City Council's requirement in Condition 2(d) to make the site of Cosham Fire Station available only for affordable housing, felt it was important to work in partnership with the City Council regarding any future land use. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Executive of Portsmouth City Council be informed that, as part of the detailed terms of the sale of the site identified for a replacement Cosham Fire Station in Northern Road, Cosham, the Fire Authority is prepared to consider any reasonable request for replacement car parking within the King George V Playing Fields and to meet their reasonable legal and surveying costs and other disbursements; and be requested to reconsider their decision of 14 July 2006 so as to:
(a) delete their Condition 2(a) on the grounds that the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority is not able in the way suggested to fetter its discretion and obligations to fulfil its statutory duties to provide fire cover for Portsmouth;
(b) Condition 2(b) be replaced with an undertaking to implement a full public consultation exercise before considering any recommendation to close Copnor Fire Station, should such closure be considered necessary under a future IRMP;
(c) Delete the requirement in Condition 2(d) to make the site of Cosham Fire Station available only for affordable housing as the Authority has no statutory power to promote affordable housing and such a disposal would not enable the Authority to meet its statutory obligations to achieve the best price reasonably obtainable and apply the receipts to fulfil its statutory duties and obligations but that the Authority will work in partnership with the City Council regarding any future land use.
(ii) That the City Council be asked to consider this Authority's response as a matter of urgency so that a decision can be made on whether to allocate the necessary funding in the capital programme in 2007/08 for a start on the scheme.
121 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 16 JUNE, 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 16 June, 2006 (Item 17 in the Minute Book).
122 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 8 SEPTEMBER, 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 8 September, 2006 (Item 18 in the Minute Book).
123 MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE - 16 JUNE , 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review Committee held on 16 June, 2006 and adopted the recommendations in relation to partnership arrangements and service level agreements with Hampshire County Council (Item 19 in the Minute Book).
124 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - 22 JUNE, 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Governance Committee held on 22 June, 2006 (Item 20 in the Minute Book).
125 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 29 JUNE , 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 29 June, 2006 (Item 21 in the Minute Book).
126 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 27 JULY, 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 27 July, 2006 and adopted the recommendations in relation to budget monitoring, the relocation of the vehicle work shop from Winnall, Winchester to Fire Headquarters, Eastleigh and the Winchester Fire Station to the Winnall Workshop site. (Item 22 in the Minute Book). On Minute 37 it was noted that the Chief Officer had successfully negotiated by way of a single tender the purchase of the fire station - end ICT equipment so as not to delay this 2006/07 capital starts scheme.
127 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That in relation to Minute 128, the public be excluded from the meeting as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the annexe.
128 ASSET MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP - 22 JUNE 2006 - EXEMPT ANNEX
The Authority considered the exempt annex relating to the Asset Management Working Group on 22 June 2006 (Item 22 in the Minute Book refers).
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