Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at The Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 26 September, 2007.
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); R. Baulk; I. Beagley; K. Chapman;
M.G. Cooper; L. Dunsdon; Mrs J. Frankum; E.F. Gale, MBE; D. Harrison; D. Horne; K. House; L. Hunt; P.R.C. Hutcheson; Sue Jackson; R. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Sam Payne; D. Phillips; R.H. Price; D. Simpson; R. Smith; M.J. Woodhall.
193 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P.A. Heath and R. Williams.
194 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.
195 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 June, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Appointment of Committees and Other Appointments
On Minute 181 (b), the Authority noted that the informal Panel comprising of Councillors: M.F. Cartwright, Mrs J Frankum and D. Harrison had interviewed Mr. M. James, one of the two independent Members interested in the future chairmanship role of the Standards Committee on 14 September 2007. As Mrs. W. Allen, the other independent Member interested in such an appointment had been unwell on 14 September, the Panel had instead agreed to interview her on 8 October 2007. The Clerk was to prepare a report on the Panel's recommendation in relation to this to the next meeting of the Authority .
On Minute 18(d), the Chief Officer reported that the position over the future of the Community Fire Safety Strategic Steering Group was continuing to be reviewed, together with other activities requiring Member engagement. The outcome of the review was due to be reported to the Authority on 13 February 2008.
196 DEPUTATIONS
Pursuant to Standing Order 19, the Authority received a deputation by Councillor M. Andrewes of Portsmouth City Council opposing any future closure of the Copnor Fire Station as referred to in the Authority's draft three-year Corporate Plan for 2008/09 to 2010/11 (Minute 203 refers).
197 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
There were no Members' questions.
198 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman introduced Geoff Howsego the newly appointed Director of Human Resources and Members wished him every success in his new role.
The Chairman reported on a letter from Peter Cowland, the Firefighter Memorial Trust's Charity Officer. It thanked the Authority for its generous donation of £2,000 towards a Memorial to be erected at the National Arboretum site in Staffordshire dedicated to the Fire Service.
The Authority noted the visits which the Chairman had made to Fire Stations over the summer months and were reminded of the Members' Awareness Session at Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters following this meeting.
199 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the group areas. Members wished to place on record their appreciation to those firefighter crews who had been deployed to deal with major flooding incidents in various parts of the Country in June and July of this year. They also wished to congratulate Hampshire's Arson Task Force for the valuable investigations it had already undertaken since going live on 25 July 2007.
200 SOUTH EAST FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES' REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD- UPDATE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) about the key issues arising from the South East Fire and Rescue Services' Regional Management Board meeting held on 11 July 2007.
201 STRATEGIC RISK REGISTER
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) about updating the Strategic Risk Register.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the current version of the Strategic Risk Register be approved.
(b) That the following risks be removed from the current Register as, following the placement of controls, they are now deemed to be low risks:
· Failure to comply with and/or manage the Authority's legal and moral responsibilities for the health, safety and welfare of its employees under health and safety legislation.
· Failure to comply with and/or properly manage the Authority's legal and regulatory responsibilities in respect of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
(c) That the following risk be removed from the Register as, in terms of compliance with legislation, it is deemed to be of low risk.
· Failure to comply with and/or properly manage the Authority's legal and regulatory responsibilities in respect to equalities legislation.
(d) That a new risk be added to the Register that relates specifically to equalities issues with respect of service delivery.
(e) That the Register be reported to the Finance and General Purposes Committee on an annual basis at its June meeting.
202 FIRE CONTROL AND FIRELINK
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the progress of the two new national projects, "Fire Control" and "Fire Link". It was noted that similar updates would be presented to future meetings of the Authority.
203 OUR PLAN FOR 2008/09 TO 2010/11 : INCORPORATING THE INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) about a proposed change of title of its corporate plan from "Integrated Risk Management Plan" to "Our Plan" and setting out a number of draft corporate objectives as the basis for consultation with key stakeholders on the Authority's three year Corporate Plan for 2008/09 to 2010/11.
The Chairman reported that prior to the meeting, Members had received a letter from Councillor G. Vernon-Jackson, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, which had also been simultaneously sent to the press, opposing the proposed wording of draft objective 10 of Appendix A to the report which referred to personnel and equipment being moved from Copnor Fire Station to Cosham or Southsea Fire Stations and by implication the proposed closure of Copnor Fire Station. In response to Councillor Vernon-Jackson's letter, a press release had been issued by HFRS. This sought to clarify the present position. The press release was copied and circulated to Members at the meeting (Item 11(a) in the Minute Book).
The Chief Officer reported on the results of the year - long trial at Copnor Fire Station which indicated that the Service can redeploy its fire fighting resources in Portsmouth whilst still maintaining the same level of emergency cover and improve efficiency in the Portsmouth area. However, it was made clear that it would be for the Authority itself on 13 February, 2008 to approve its Corporate Plan for 2008/09 to 2010/11 having considered comments raised during the consultation period. The Chief Fire Officer agreed, in accordance with Members' wishes, to undertake as part of the consultation, a sample poll to establish whether the proposed change of title to "Our Plan" was popular and to report back on this to the Authority.
During a full and detailed discussion the Authority agreed that paragraphs 2 and 3 of draft objective 17 of the Plan about the development of the new Cosham Fire Station should be amended to refer to it being a "Community Fire Station". A number of Members were concerned about Copnor Fire Station being earmarked for closure in the draft Plan. As a result, an alternative proposal was made at the meeting. This was to remove all references to the closure of Copnor Fire Station (i.e. draft objective 10 of Appendix A to the report).
The required number of Members, pursuant to Standing Order 14(3), signified their support for the voting on the amendment to be recorded to show how each Member voted.
Members supporting amendment:
M.G. Cooper; L. Dunsdon; D. Harrison; D. Horne; K. House; L. Hunt; Sue Jackson; Sam Payne; D. Phillips; R.H. Price; D. Simpson
Total: 11
Members opposing amendment:
R. Baulk; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; Mrs. J. Frankum; E.F. Gale, MBE; P.R.C Hutcheson; R.J. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; R. Smith; M.J. Woodhall.
Total : 11
The amendment was lost on the casting vote of the Chairman.
Members abstaining:
None
Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Authority notes the suggested change of title of its Corporate Plan from "Integrated Risk Management Plan" to "Our Plan" with effect from 1 April 2008 and, in accordance with Members' wishes, the Chief Officer undertake, as part of the consultation on the plan, a sample poll to evaluate the popularity of the suggested change of title and report on this to the Authority on 13 February 2008.
(b) That subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 of draft corporate objective 17 being amended to refer to Cosham as a new Community Fire Station, the remaining draft objectives as set out in Appendix A to the report, be endorsed as the basis for consultation with key stakeholders on the Authority's three-year Corporate Plan for 2008/09 to 2010/11.
204 SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS WITH HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer and Clerk (Item 12 in the Minute Book) about the service level agreements with Hampshire County Council.
RESOLVED:
(a) That, notwithstanding the conclusion that the various service level agreements with Hampshire County Council appear to satisfy one or more of the exclusions under the relevant procurement regulations, the opportunity be taken to occasionally expose some of those services to market-testing and/or full competitive tendering as a means of ensuring and demonstrating that they continue to offer best value.
(b) That the Clerk be asked to consider whether it would be in the Authority's best interests to seek an arrangement under Section 113 of the Local Government Act 1972 to recognise and regularise the extent and benefits of services provided to the Authority under the current service level agreements.
205 RESULTS OF PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY 2006
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) summarising the results of the public opinion survey, conducted in 2006.
RESOLVED:
That Members note the findings of the public opinion survey and endorse the strategies and actions for addressing the issues raised.
206 MANUFACTURE AND STORAGE OF EXPLOSIVES REGULATIONS 2005 - DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) seeking delegated responsibilities, if required, in relation to the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005.
RESOLVED:
That the Authority notes the current error in the Manufacture and Storage of Explosive Regulations 2005 and, in the event that this error is not rectified by Parliament by 1 October 2007, authorises the Chief Officer and Clerk to take the necessary action to achieve the delegation of responsibilities for the enforcement and registration of the Regulations, to the three constituent local authority trading standards departments (Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council).
207 HFRA REPRESENTATION ON COUNTY STRATEGY GROUP FOR CRIME AND DISORDER
The Authority noted that Statutory Order 183 2007 came into force on 1 August 2007. It required the formulation of a County Strategy Group for Crime and Disorder to link with the existing Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships. In response to this an inaugural meeting of the new County Strategy Group for Hampshire had been arranged for 1 October 2007. The Authority supported a proposal that the Chairman and a representative of the Chief Officer attend the inaugural meeting. It was noted that the Authority would be asked to review its representation on the new County Strategy Group at its next meeting on 12 December 2007.
208 REPORT OF ASSET MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP - 4 SEPTEMBER 2007
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 16 in the Minute Book) about this Working Group meeting on 4 September. They adopted the three recommendations to the Authority about the disposal of land at Carpenters Down, Popley, Basingstoke; hydrants maintenance and regarding the minor exchange of lands at the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters' site, Eastleigh. The Chief Officer noted Members' comments made in relation to the possible future use of the land being declared surplus to operational requirements and sold at Carpenters Down. It was confirmed that the Asset Management Working Group would consider a further report on the "design and offer" bids made on this item in due course.
209 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 15 JUNE AND 21 SEPTEMBER 2007
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meetings held on 15 June and 21 September 2007 (Items 17(a) and 17(b) in the Minute Book). They adopted the recommendation to the Authority on HFRA Member Awareness.
210 MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE - 20 JUNE AND 12 SEPTEMBER 2007
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review Committee meetings held on 20 June and 12 September 2007 (Items 18(a) and 18(b) in the Minute Book).
211 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - 21 JUNE AND 10 SEPTEMBER 2007
The Authority received the Minutes of the Governance Committee meetings held on 21 June and 10 September 2007 (Items 19(a) and 19(b) in the Minute Book). They adopted the recommendations to the Authority about extending the terms of reference of the Performance Review Committee and to re-naming it the "Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee".
212 MINUTES OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE - 22 JUNE
The Authority received the Minutes of the Standards Committee meetings held on 22 June (Item 20 in the Minute Book). It was noted that Councillor Mrs J Frankum's name should be added to those shown as being in attendance. They adopted the recommendation to the Authority about the revised Mode Code of Conduct of Members. It was noted that the same item had also been approved by the Governance Committee on 21 June 2007 (Minute 43 of that meeting refers).
213 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 28 JUNE 2007
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held on 28 June 2007 (Item 21 in the Minute Book).
214 LGA COMBINED FIRE AUTHORITY CONFERENCE - 30 OCTOBER 2007
The Authority were reminded of this Conference taking place on 30 October 2007 at the Hilton Hotel in Southampton. Any Member still wishing to attend was asked to contact the Chief Officer in the near future.
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