Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item

6 June 2007

Error! Bookmark not defined.South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board - Update

Report by the Chief Officer

Contact: John Bonney - Chief Officer Tel: 02380 626830 [email protected]

1

Summary

1.1

This report outlines the key issues arising from the South East Fire and Rescue Services' Regional Management Board (SERMB) AGM meeting held on 4 April 2007.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.

2.1

That the report be noted.

3

Election of Officials

3.1

This being the Annual General Meeting, a new Chairman and Vice Chairman were elected, these were as follows:

Chairman - Councillor M Cartwright (Hampshire)

Vice Chairman - Councillor D Rowlands (Buckinghamshire)

As on previous occasions, with Hampshire taking the Chair, the clerking role will fall to Chief Officer John Bonney, Hampshire.

4

Review of RMB Constitution

4.1

Councillor Cartwright tabled for consideration the proposal to alter the Constitution of the RMB in respect of the representation from each Authority. It was explained that a model of proportional representation, based on population, had been established for the Local Authority Controlled Company of the Regional Control Centre. Members were asked to consider a number of options:

_ To maintain the status quo - 1 Member/1 Authority - 1 vote.

_ 1 Member/1 Authority/weighted vote.

_ Weighted Members/1 Authority/1 vote.

Hampshire and Kent proposed a change to the voting methodology which would increase representation to 15, however this was defeated with the prevailing view that existing arrangements were effective and there was no need for change. This was carried in a subsequent vote.

Members believed that an increase in numbers may be unmanageable and that it would not lend to any improvement in the quality of decisions made. Members recounted that they had open and inclusive dialogue with members of their respective fire authorities about the business of the RMB and were content with current arrangements.

5

South East Regional Human Resources Strategy

Chief Officer Bonney presented the Regional Human Resources Strategy to the Board explaining that this was a high level document seen as the "umbrella" to the HR work streams currently being completed and worked upon. The Strategy, which is attached as appendix A, lays out the South East Region's approach in nine key areas. It was explained that it was a specific requirement of the National Framework to have in place a Regional Strategy. This was accepted by the Board.

6

South East Regional Management Board - Business Plan 2007/8

Kent presented the South East Region's Business Plan for the next three years. The content of the Business Plan has been developed by Chief Fire Officers and details the various projects which fall under the following work streams:

· Human Resources - Hampshire

· Training - Royal Berkshire

· Improvement - Kent

· Media and Communications - East Sussex

· Procurement - Oxfordshire

· Resilience and Community Safety - Buckinghamshire

· Regional Control Centre and Firelink - West Sussex

The final document will be circulated for approval and printed late April. It is a high level strategic document which is supported by a more detailed action plan. A new work stream, Community Safety, has been incorporated as it was felt that the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, with its emphasis on community safety, should be reflected in the Business Plan. Copies, in full, will be provided in due course.

7

Networking Women in the Fire Service (NWFS) Awards

A letter was received from Chris Taylor, Regional Representative for NWFS, requesting that the South East RMB supports the new NWFS award scheme. This was agreed.

8

South East Improvement Partnership

Members will be aware that the RMB is recognised as an improvement partnership. As such, it has attracted some £450K of capacity building funds, the allocation of which is detailed in the forthcoming Business Plan. The partnership is keen to broadcast its achievements and the value it brings to fire regional collaboration through a simple newsletter, the most recent of which has been included for members' information (appendix B).

Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

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:

· Agenda and reports of the South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board meeting held 4 April 2007.