Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 6 June 2007.
PRESENT:
Councillors: R. Baulk; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; M.G. Cooper; L. Dunsdon; Mrs. J. Frankum; P.A. Heath; D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; S. Jackson; R. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Sam Payne; D. Phillips; D. Simpson; R. Smith; M.J. Woodhall.
172 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors I. Beagley; E.F. Gale, MBE; D. Harrison; K. House; L. Hunt; R.H. Price and R. Williams.
173 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED:
That Councillor M.F. Cartwright be appointed Chairman until the annual meeting of the Authority in 2008.
174 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMEN
RESOLVED:
That Councillors P.A. Health and R. Smith be appointed Vice-Chairmen until the annual meeting of the Authority in 2008.
175 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.
176 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 14 February, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service : Results of Consultation Exercise
On Minute 164, the Authority noted that the Isle of Wight Council had confirmed its intention to retain its own Fire and Rescue Service. It was the Chief Officer's intention to include a brief article about this in his next news bulletin.
177 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
178 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
There were no Members' questions.
179 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman welcomed Councillors Sue Jackson and Darron Phillips to their first meeting in place of Peter Galton and Howard Jones respectively.
The Chairman reported on the visit by the Fire Minister, Angela Smith, MP, to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters on 1 May, 2007 and referred to his recent visits to fire stations and to the LGA Annual Fire Conference on 13 and 14 March, 2007 in Peterborough. It was noted that the new Wessex Block Training Area, jointly funded with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Authority, had opened on 17 April, 2007 at HFRS Headquarters.
The Chairman reported that Sir Ken Knight, Commissioner of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, had been appointed as the Government's new Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser. He was to head a new Unit to advise Ministers and senior staff on structure, organisation and performance, including equality, of fire and rescue services. It was further reported that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service was successfully awarded two commendations at the first national Equality and Diversity Awards held in May, 2007. It was noted that Station Manager Alex Martin had been invited to meet the Prime Minister and Mrs. Blair at a Reception at Lancaster House on 13 June, 2007. This event had been organised to thank front line workers for their role in delivering excellence in Public Services.
Finally, reference was made to the revised Code of Conduct for Members which would come to the Authority for adoption at its meeting in September. In the meantime training on the Code had been arranged by the Clerk.
180 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the group areas.
181 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES, CHAIRMEN, VICE-CHAIRMEN, DEPUTIES AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the appointment of Committees, deputies and various other appointments. It also made reference to the role of independent members and in particular whether or not the Standards Committee should be chaired by an independent rather than an elected member. The Clerk reported that two of the current three independent Members had indicated an interest to Chair the Standards Committee. As a way forward, the Authority supported a proposal to appoint an elected member as Chairman of the Standards Committee until such time that legislation is introduced making it a requirement for an independent member to assume this role.
To prepare for this, the Authority agreed that an informal Panel of 3 Members of the Standards Committee (1:1:1) should meet with the two independent members interested in a future Chairmanship role and report on the outcome of this to next Standards Committee and as a recommendation to the Authority.
RESOLVED:
(a) That, for the purposes of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the allocation of seats on the Committees of the Authority, be as follows:
Committee Conservative Liberal Democrat Labour Group
Group Group
Finance and 6 4 1
General Purposes
Human Resources 6 4 1
Performance Review 5 3 1
Governance 5 3 1
Standards 3 2 1
(plus 3 Independent Members)
(b) That a Councillor Member be appointed as Chairman of the Standards Committee at this meeting and that the Clerk make subsequent arrangements for an informal Panel (1:1:1) of the Standards Committee to meet with the two independent members interested in a chairmanship appointment and report on the outcome of this to the Standards Committee on 14 September and as a recommendation to the Authority on 26 September, 2007.
(c) That, Members be appointed to the five Committees and other groups, as follows:-
Finance and General Purposes
I. Beagley R.H. Price
M.F. Cartwright D. Simpson
M.G. Cooper R. Smith (Southampton) (Chairman)
P.A. Heath M.J. Woodhall
D. Horne (Portsmouth)
K. House
P.R.C. Hutcheson (Vice-Chairman)
Human Resources
R. Baulk
K. Chapman (Chairman) K. House
M.G. Cooper L. Hunt (Portsmouth)
Sue Jackson (Southampton)
E.F. Gale MBE R. Kimber
D. Horne (Portsmouth) R. McIntosh (Vice-Chairman)
Sam Payne
Performance Review Committee
R. Baulk (Vice-Chairman) D.A. Kirk (Chairman)
I. Beagley Sam Payne
K. Chapman D. Simpson
L. Dunsdon R. Williams (Southampton)
L. Hunt (Portsmouth)
Standards Committee
Mrs. J. Frankum R. Kimber
E.F. Gale, MBE (Vice-Chairman) M.J. Woodhall (Chairman)
D. Phillips (Portsmouth)
D. Harrison
Independent Members
Mrs. W. Allen ) appointed by
Mr. M. James ) Authority on
Miss S. Roberts ) 6.2.06 for a 4
year period
expiring Feb
2010
Governance Committee
M.F. Cartwright
M.G. Cooper
D. Harrison
P.R.C. Hutcheson (Chairman)
Sue Jackson (Southampton)
D.A. Kirk
R. McIntosh
R. Smith (Southampton) (Vice-Chairman)
R. Williams (Southampton)
Fairness and Dignity Group
M.F. Cartwright (Chairman ex-officio)
K. Chapman
D. Horne (Portsmouth)
(Deputy - Mrs. J. Frankum)
Sam Payne
(Deputy - D. Simpson)
Crime and Disorder Partnerships
P. Heath - Basingstoke
M.F. Cartwright - East Hampshire
K. House - Eastleigh
R. Price - Fareham
R. Williams - Gosport
P.R.C. Hutcheson - Hart
E.F. Gale MBE - Havant
L. Dunsdon - New Forest
D. Phillips - Portsmouth
R. Baulk - Rushmoor
R. Smith - Southampton
M. Woodhall - Test Valley
Sue Jackson - Winchester
Corporate Management Team of Leading Members
M.F. Cartwright - Chairman
M.G. Cooper - Liberal Democrat Minority
Party Member
P. Heath - Vice-Chairman
R. Smith - Vice-Chairman
R. Price - Liberal Democrat Minority
Party Spokesman
D. Horne - Labour Minority Party Spokesman
K. Chapman - Chairman of Human Resources Committee
and also a Member of Performance Review
Committee
P.R.C. Hutcheson - Chairman of Asset Management Working Group of
Finance and General Purposes Committee
(d) That the position over the future of the Community Fire Safety - Strategic Steering Group be reported to the Authority at a later date.
(e) That Councillor R. Price be appointed to serve on the Local Authority Controlled Company due to be set up late Summer 2007 in relation to the Governance and Management of the Regional Control Centre; the Chief Officer to confirm this with the Member due to his absence at this meeting.
182 SOUTH EAST FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES' REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD - UPDATE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) about the key issues arising from the South East Fire and Rescue Services' Regional Management Board Annual General Meeting held on 4 April, 2007.
183 ELECTION OF CHIEF FIRE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION (CFOA) VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT - CHIEF OFFICER HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) about being appointed as Vice President Elect of the Chief Fire Officers' Association. Members congratulated John Bonney on being elected by his colleagues to this position. They noted that he would take up his Vice Presidency role from May, 2008 and the Presidency itself from May, 2009 for a twelve month period.
184 FIRE AND RESCUE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT 2006
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) summarising the outcomes of the Fire and Rescue Performance Assessment for 2006. The Performance Review Manager gave a presentation highlighting the key elements of the assessment. A copy of the presentation material appears as Item 13(i) in the Minute Book.
The Authority congratulated the Chief Officer and all staff on the outcome of the assessment and thanked those Members who had been particularly involved for their contributions.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Authority welcomes the outcomes of the Fire and Rescue Performance Assessment 2006 and recognises the evidence it provides that the Authority is amongst the top 10 of high performing fire and rescue authorities in the country.
(b) That the Authority notes the action taken to address the corporate issues identified for improvement and their inclusion in the Improvement Planning Register.
185 IMPROVEMENT PLANNING REGISTER
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on actions taken to address the corporate issues identified for improvement under the Authority's Integrated Risk Management Plan.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the latest update of the Authority's Improvement Planning Register which details the actions taken to address the corporate issues identified for improvement be received.
(b) That the strategies and actions that have been completed be discharged from the Register.
186 MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE - 15 MARCH, 2007
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review Committee held on 15 March, 2007 (Item 15 in the Minute Book). They adopted the recommendations on revised terms of reference and increase in Members to serve on the Improvement Planning Steering Board.
187 INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS - FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITIES MUTUAL LIMITED
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 16 in the Minute Book) about its participation in the Fire and Rescue Authorities Mutual Limited (FRAML) with effect from 1 July, 2007.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Authority confirms its participation in and becoming a Member of the Fire and Rescue Authorities Mutual Limited (FRAML) with effect from 1 July, 2007, or as soon thereafter that FRAML begins operating, and can provide the necessary insurance and reinsurance cover for the Authority.
(b) That the Authority notes that the Director of Corporate Services will become a Director of FRAML.
(c) That the Authority authorises the Director of Corporate Services to sign any documents to effect the implementation of (a) above.
188 MINUTES OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE - 16 MARCH, 2007
The Authority received the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 16 March, 2007 (Item 17 in the Minute Book).
189 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 26 APRIL, 2007
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 26 April, 2007 (Item 18 in the Minute Book).
190 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - 30 APRIL, 2007
The Authority received the Minutes of the Governance Committee held on 30 April, 2007 (Item 19 in the Minute Book).
191 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 20 APRIL, 2007
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 20 April, 2007 (Item 20 in the Minute Book). They adopted the recommendation on the Gender Equality Scheme.
192 CALENDAR OF HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR 2008
The Authority noted that the Clerk was in the process of setting future HFRA and Committee meeting dates so as to avoid those dates currently being programmed in relation to County Council's meetings for 2008. It was also intended to liaise with the two City Councils and the Hampshire Police Authority in setting the relevant dates.
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