Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on 12 September, 2006.

PRESENT:

Councillors: D.A. Kirk (Chairman); L.T. Dunsdon; D. Simpson; R. Williams.

50 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.J. Baulk, I.F.E. Beagley, K.G. Chapman, L. Hunt and H. Jones.

51 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 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.

52 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 June, 2006 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to adding Councillor Williams' apologies, and signed by the Chairman.

53 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

54 RECOMMENDATION AND ACTION ARISING FROM INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) setting out the completed and ongoing internal audit recommendations. Members discussed the actions taken in detail.

    The Committee were concerned that the delays in linking two Service-wide software systems (TRACE and SAP) due to issues with the BT network could be costly and affect the well-being of the community. The Deputy Chief Officer was requested to raise this issue with the contractor and BT and express the Committee's concerns, though officers were confident that the interim solutions implemented should represent no extra cost.

    Follow up action or clarification for future reports was also requested regarding items 3.12 (page 1) and 3.6 (page 11) on Appendix A and 3.11 (page 1), 3.28 (page 8) and 3.56 (page 17) on Appendix B.

    RESOLVED:

    That the Internal Audit Action Report be accepted and the progress of ongoing actions be noted.

55 BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (BVPI) AND LOCAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (LPI)

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the performance indicator data for the first quarter of 2006/07. Members were given a demonstration of the new performance monitoring software, PB Views, which is close to being fully implemented in fire stations. The Committee were positive about the new system and its public availability through the HFRS website, however, it was requested that elected Members be able to view all the data held on the system.

    RESOLVED:

    That the performance of HFRS be noted and the strategies to meet the targets be endorsed.

56 PROGRESS REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET RECOMMENDATIONS DETAILED IN THE `ACTION PLAN' OF THE REPORT OF THE BEST VALUE REVIEW OF WORKSHOPS


    The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out the completed and ongoing actions of the recommendations from the Action Plan which formed part of the report on the best value review of workshops in May 2006.

    The Deputy Performance Review Manager will be visiting the workshops in October to assess progress on the recommendations for herself. Members were concerned with the failure to meet some targets and the reasons given for missing them. The Deputy Chief Officer was therefore asked to provide Members with an explanation, at the next meeting of the Committee, on Appendix B where targets have not been met.

    RESOLVED:

    a) That the updated Action Plan be approved and that further progress reports be received by the Committee;

    b) That the Deputy Chief Officer provide further explanation at the next meeting of the Committee on Appendix B, where targets have not been met.

57 PROPOSAL TO UNDERTAKE A BEST VALUE REVIEW ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND ENERGY CONSERVATION

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) recommending a steering group be set up to review environmental and energy conservation issues in relation to HFRS sites and activities. The Committee welcomed the report, and it was accordingly

RESOLVED:

    a) That the undertaking of a Best Value Review of Environmental Impact and Energy Conservation be approved;

    b) That the draft scope and methodology for the review be agreed;

    c) That Councillors Dunsdon and Williams be appointed to the steering group for Phase 1, with Councillor Kirk as an ex-officio member.

58 IMPROVEMENT PLANNING REGISTER

    The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) presenting the Improvement Planning Register.

    RESOLVED:

    a) That the latest update of the Authority's Improvement Planning Register be received;

    b) That the Committee's involvement in the process for reviewing it be endorsed;

    c) That the Register be presented to every meeting of this Committee unless for any meeting there is no change in which case a short report is submitted to say that.