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 20 June 2007.

PRESENT:

Councillors: D.A. Kirk (Chairman); K.G. Chapman; Sam Payne

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Sam Payne as a new member to the Committee.

72 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.J. Baulk, I.F.E Beagley, L.T. Dundson, D. Simpson and R. Williams.

73 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.

    There were no declarations of interest made by members under this item.

74 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 March, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

    Matter arising on Minute 66:

    Recommendation b) of Minute 66 was agreed by the Authority on 6 June 2007. A nomination from the Labour group to the Improvement Planning Steering Board was still awaited.

    Matter arising on Minute 67:

    As resolved in 67 b), the Chairman had written to the Chief Officer highlighting the lack of response or action, in some quarters, from the chase-up memos of the Deputy Performance Review Manager. The Chief Officer had raised the issue at the Senior Management Team which officers reported had been very helpful.

75 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

76 BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND LOCAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing the strategic or `flight-deck' performance indicators for the fourth quarter of 2006/07.

    Members discussed the recruitment difficulties the Service faced in the workforce representing the population of Hampshire, including black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. Though the trend for this indicator (BV17a) was still increasing, it was noted that achieving the target would take a number of years with the present rate of BME recruits. BME communities often did not perceive the HFRS as an attractive career option, though the Service had initiatives tackling this and attitudes appeared to be changing.

    The performance indicator BV206i showed the incidence of primary arson fires reducing. Though this was undoubtedly through a combination of factors including the visits paid to schools and sixth forms by the Service, the Committee also recognised the good work done on the LIFE project with young people at risk of becoming fire-setters.

    The Committee discussed in further detail the speed of response indicator (LPI20a) and the encouraging fall in false alarms caused by Automatic Fire Detection apparatus (BV149i).

    RESOLVED:

    That the performance of the HFRS for the indicators being reported be noted and that the strategies to meet the targets be endorsed.

77 RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS ARISING FROM INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the progress against internal audit recommendations. Members went through the detail of the outstanding and ongoing actions in some detail.

    RESOLVED:

    That the internal audit action reports be accepted and that the progress of ongoing and overdue actions continue to be monitored.

78 PROGRESS REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET THE RECOMMENDATIONS DETAILED IN THE `ACTION PLAN' WHICH FORMED PART OF THE FINAL REPORT OF THE BEST VALUE REVIEW OF VEHICLE WORKSHOPS


    The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the actions taken to meet the recommendations contained within the Best Value Review of Workshops.

    It was noted that a number of hours were lost to sickness. This was something the workshops management team were aware of and were actively working on. Members went on to discuss the management tools available and the need for appropriate IT systems. The TRACE software used in the workshops was not providing what had been initially expected of it. Though it was used by other authorities, it was now clear that it was not providing acceptable support to meet the needs of HFRS.

    RESOLVED:

    That the updated action plan be noted and further reports on progress be received.

79 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND ACTIVITY OF WORKSHOPS

    The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the performance of the workshops for the year 2006/07. The Workshops Manager was present to answer member questions on the issues affecting the performance of the workshops.

    There had been a good response from customer survey questionnaires, but the low return rate was being targeted for improvement as the data obtained was valuable in showing the performance of the workshops.

    The Committee went on to examine the performance indicators specific to the workshops and were pleased that the targets were being met and showed continuing improvements.

    RESOLVED:

    1. That the findings of the report be noted and that the improvement in the Workshops performance during 2006/07 be acknowledged.

    2. That a similar report be produced for 2007/08.

80 BEST VALUE REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

    The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) introducing the report of the Environment Centre, an independent consultant, detailing the environmental performance of the Authority.

    Members welcomed this timely report. There was a wide-ranging discussion on the issues which would need to be considered in the review, including travel plans and allowances, the sustainability of future builds and office work practices.

    RESOLVED:

    That the report of the Environment Centre and the progress of the review made to date be noted.

81 ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET THE RECOMMENDATIONS DETAILED IN THE BEST VALUE REVIEW OF PARTNERSHIPS

    The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the actions taken to meet the recommendations contained within the Best Value Review of Partnerships.

    The Committee were impressed with the progress on this topic and wanted to thank Lesley Clarke-Round, Performance Review Officer, in particular for her hard work.

    RESOLVED:

    That the updated Action Plan be approved and further reports on progress be received.

82 ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET THE RECOMMENDATIONS DETAILED IN THE BEST VALUE REVIEW OF SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS

    The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the actions taken to meet the recommendations stated in the report on the Best Value Review of Service Level Agreements.

    RESOLVED:

    That the updated Action Plan be approved and further reports on progress be received.

83 BEST VALUE REVIEW OF HEADQUARTERS CATERING ARRANGEMENTS

    The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the setting up of a review to consider the contract for catering arrangements within the Service.

    RESOLVED:

    1. That the actions and implementation of the review as outlined in the report (under Section 2) be endorsed.

    2. That Councillors D.A. Kirk and Sam Payne be appointed to the Review Group with further non-elected members, including external challenge, to be confirmed, with the need for a steering group being considered unnecessary.