Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Item 15

13 September 2006

HFRA - Scheme of Delegation to Officers

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Contact:

Wendy Lambert, Head of Financial and Office Services

Tel: 023 8064 4000 Ext 5006

1

Introduction

1.1

To ensure the efficient day-to-day management of the Authority's activities it is necessary to have a Scheme of Delegation of responsibilities to its officers.

1.2

The Scheme that has been in place since 8 December 2004 has been reviewed and updated to enable the Authority to manage effectively within the Fire and Rescue Service National Framework, the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and the changes brought about by the Licensing Act 2003

1.3

The relevant sections which have been revised are attached as Appendix A.

1.4

The complete Scheme of Delegation is available on the website:

http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/theservice/corporateplan/corporateplan-strategies/corporateplan-policiesplans.htm

2

Recommendation

2.1

That the Authority approves the revisions to the Scheme of Delegation.

3

Risk Assessment

3.1

The need to set out and maintain clear lines of responsibility and accountability in a Scheme of Delegation to officers is an important component of the Authority's corporate governance framework.

3.2

The Scheme is also a critical control measure in reducing the Authority's vulnerability to fraud and misuse of resources.

4

Principal Changes

4.1

The new regime of fire safety enforcement, to be brought into force on 1st October 2006, will effect employers and those who are responsible for, non-domestic, industrial, commercial and residential premises. Self-employed businesses and the voluntary sector will also be brought within this regime

4.2

The Licensing Act 2003 has repealed the previous Licensing Act 1964.

5

Resource Implications

5.1

There are no significant resource implications associated with implementing the revised Scheme. However, there will be need to provide training to Members and senior officers to ensure that all are sufficiently aware of the protocols and procedures contained within the Scheme. This will be undertaken in conjunction with Internal Audit staff and delivered at the same time as training on the revised set of Financial Regulations (due to be presented to the January meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee).

6

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

6.1

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

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

NB The list excludes:

1 Published works

2 Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act

File ref: Secretarial/WP/Word/Corporate/HFRA: HFRA 13 9 06 Scheme of Delegation WL/JMW/31/8/06