Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 13 December, 2006.
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); I.F. Beagley; K. Chapman; M.G. Cooper;
L. Dunsdon; Mrs. J. Frankum; E.F. Gale, MBE; P. Galton; D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; D. Horne;
L. Hunt; P.R.C. Hutcheson; H. Jones; R. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; R.H. Price; D. Simpson; R. Smith; R. Williams; M.J. Woodhall.
Also in attendance for Minute 144 on "Firebuy" were Mr. J. Clowes (Public Risk Management) and Mr. M. Fone (Charles Taylor Consulting).
136 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors K. House and Sam Payne.
137 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.
138 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 4 October, 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
139 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
140 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
There were no Members' questions.
141 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported with sadness upon the deaths of two Members of the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service who had tragically lost their lives during a severe fire at Festival Fireworks, a large fireworks depot near Ringmer, East Sussex. Members and Officers stood for a minute's silence as a mark of respect.
The Chairman reported that the planned visit by the Fire Minister, Angela Smith, MP, to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters on 14 December 2006 had been postponed to the New Year.
The Authority was pleased to learn that, following the recent Operational Assessment of Service Delivery, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service had been rated as Performing Strongly - the top category. Members congratulated in particular frontline firefighters and support staff for their hard work and dedication to the Service.
The Chairman reported that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service had become a "Disability Symbol User" having agreed with Jobcentre Plus that they will take action to meet various commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees.
Finally, the Chairman referred to the "Celebrating Success" event held at the Marriott Hotel, Portsmouth on 23 November 2006.
142 INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN - PRESENTATION ON CONSULTATION FEEDBACK
Alan House, Deputy Chief Officer, gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Authority on some of the main responses so far received as a result of the consultation exercise being undertaken on the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2007-2010. A copy of the presentation material appears as Item 7 in the Minute Book. Members noted that the Consultation period would cease on 31 December 2006. A further report would be made to the next meeting.
143 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received an amended report of the Chief Officer which was tabled at the meeting (Item 8 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the group areas.
144 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 26 OCTOBER 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 26 October 2006 (Item 9 in the Minute Book). They adopted the recommendations in relation to the latest 2006/07 budget position, those arising from the Asset Management Group Meeting of 16 October 2006, on the Headquarters Development Phase 2 - Provision of new vehicle workshop, on transitional allowances arising from the cessation of the day-crewing duty system and on the vehicle replacement programme 2007/08 to 2009/10.
Mr. J. Clowes (Public Risk Management) and Mr. M. Fone (Charles Taylor Consultancy) introduced the "Firebuy" recommendation to create a Fire and Rescue Services Mutual Insurance Company to procure insurance cover. The Authority whilst approving recommendations 1 and 3 to 7 on this matter, sought an amendment to recommendation 2. They wished officers to investigate the possibility of a five year rather than a three year buy-in concerning participation in the proposed Mutual. Accordingly, the Authority resolved, in relation to recommendation 2, as follows:
"2. That, subject to the Clerk, Treasurer and Chief Officer being satisfied with the detailed contractual and governance arrangements, officers investigate the possibility of a five year buy-in for participating in the proposed mutual and subject to reporting back to the Finance and General Purposes Committee, the Authority becomes a full Member of the Company and authorises the Chief Officer, in consultation with the Clerk and Treasurer, to take all the necessary steps to achieve this".
145 DRAFT BUDGET 2007/08
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the draft budget for 2007/08. They supported its contents and statutory consultations being undertaken in accordance with the range of possible council tax increases referred to in the report.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the base budget be approved.
(b) That the Headquarters phase 2 scheme (£4m) and the accommodation requirements at Andover, Havant and Winchester Fire Stations (£650,000 - with the caveat concerning Winchester Fire Station as set out in the report) be added to the capital programme.
(c) That arrangements be made for statutory consultations on proposals consistent with a range of possible budget and council tax increases as referred to in the report, namely 3.6%, 4.5% and 4.9%.
(d) That the final budget and council tax be set by the Authority at its meeting on 14 February 2007.
146 "STRONG AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES" - LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the White Paper on the future of local government "Strong and prosperous Communities".
147 SOUTH EAST FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD - UPDATE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) outlining the key issues arising from the South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board meeting held on 18 October 2006.
148 REGIONAL CONTROL CENTRE : LOCAL AUTHORITY CONTROLLED COMPANY GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) about the establishment of a regionally based Local Authority company to run the Regional Control Centre and seeking the Authority's views on the preferred governance arrangements and associated funding model.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the report be noted.
(b) The Authority endorses the "hybrid" cost apportionment model for Regional Control Centre costs based on a 50:50 population: call rate ratio and seek assurances from the Regional Management Board that the Local Authority Controlled Company, once established, will produce its own business efficiency plan.
(c) The Authority agrees in principle the Members' Agreement appended to this report, but as essential clauses are yet to be agreed between the Constituent Authorities of the proposed Regional Control Centre Company, final approval be delegated to the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Leaders of the two opposition parties and the Chief Officer.
(d) The Authority agrees the Articles and Memorandum of Association for the proposed Regional Control Centre Company as appended to this report, subject to any subsequent minor amendments considered necessary by the Clerk, and to the establishment of this Company with the Authority becoming a Member.
149 REVIEW OF EXISTING HFRA MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES SCHEME
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on a review of the existing HFRA Members' Allowances Scheme. It was noted the HFRA Independent Remuneration Panel had met on 2 November 2006 to consider and make a recommendation to the Authority on this matter.
Members supported the Panel's conclusions but asked the Clerk to continue to include within the Members Allowances Scheme the provision of a financial recognition for Members who may be involved in any future Disciplinary/Grievance Hearings.
RESOLVED:
That there be no change to the HFRA Members' Allowances Scheme for 2007/08 with the exception of a 2.95% inflationary increase across all allowances from 1 April 2007 to reflect the pay award approved for non-uniformed officers of fire and rescue authorities.
150 MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE - 12 SEPTEMBER 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review Committee held on 12 September 2006 (Item 15 in the Minute Book) .
On Minute 57, it was noted that Councillor R. Williams had been appointed as one of the Members to serve on a Steering Group to undertake phase one of a best value review about environmental impact energy conservation. Subsequently, Councillor Williams felt unable to participate in this review due to his particular interests on the subject matter. Accordingly, the Authority agreed that Councillor D.A. Kirk would therefore become a full, rather than an ex officio Member on the Steering Group as had originally been agreed.
151 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - 29 SEPTEMBER 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Governance Committee held on 29 September 2006 (Item 16 in the Minute Book).
152 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 1 DECEMBER 2006
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 1 December 2006 (Item 17 in the Minute Book). They adopted the recommendations in relation to cessation of day-crewing duty system, the HFRA Disability Equality Scheme and on Firefighter pension schemes.
153 NOTES OF THE HFRS COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY STRATEGIC STEERING GROUP - 8 SEPTEMBER 2006
The Authority received the notes of the HFRS Community Fire Safety Strategic Steering Group held on 8 September 2006 (Item 18 in the Minute Book).
154 LGA ANNUAL FIRE CONFERENCE - 13 AND 14 MARCH 2007 - PETERBOROUGH
The Authority considered the appointment of Members to attend this Conference.
RESOLVED:
(a) That Councillors M.F. Cartwright, D.A. Kirk, Mrs. J. Frankum and R. Price be appointed to attend the LGA Annual Fire Conference on 13 and 14 March 2007 in Peterborough.
(b) That, in the event of Councillor D.A. Kirk being unable to attend this Fire Conference, an alternative Conservative nomination be notified to the Chief Officer.
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