Archived decisions

    AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on 28 June 2007.

PRESENT:

Councillors: R. Smith (Chairman); M.F. Cartwright; M.G. Cooper; D. Horne; K. House; P.R.C. Hutcheson; D. Simpson; M.J. Woodhall.

71 APOLOGIES

    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors I.F.E. Beagley and R.H. Price.

72 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.

73 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 April, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

    Matter Arising on Minute 65 (in relation to Minutes 52 and 59)

    The Director of Corporate Services updated the Committee on the Fire and Rescue Authorities Mutual Limited (FRAML). The Financial Services Authority (FSA) had not yet formally given approval to the Mutual due to some issues which were currently being discussed. One of these was a new requirement by the FSA for the guarantee sum to be paid over as cash with the working capital to the Mutual. This would entail a potential loss of interest to the Authority on the amount deposited.

    It was also understood that one of the participating authorities of the mutual set up by the London boroughs had received legal challenges regarding the power of local authorities to set up an insurance mutual and the procurement arrangements that the borough had used.

    Members would be kept updated by the Director of Corporate Services on any further developments.

74 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

75 FINAL ACCOUNTS 2006/07

The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing the spending of the Authority in the last financial year. Members looked at the final accounts in detail and noted that the underspend of £277,000 against the revised budget was in addition to the £200,000 budget savings required for 2007/08 .

    The Director of Corporate Services would notify the Committee in writing on the implications of reprioritising the schedule of works to buildings and grounds maintenance.

    Members discussed business rates, provision for uninsured losses and the detail of the retained duty system budget. In regard to the latter, a successful recruitment strategy had, along with the success of the co-responders scheme, resulted in an overspend which had been partly offset by the successful implementation of the Automatic Fire Alarm reduction policy.

    RESOLVED:

    1. That the accounts for 2006/07 be approved, together with the proposed £145,000 contribution from the Modernisation Reserve.

    2. That the capital payments for the year be financed as set out in paragraph 4.7 of the report.

    3. That the Treasury Management Activities set out in paragraph 5 and the prudential indicators in Appendix 3 be approved.

76 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2006/07

    The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) presenting the draft statement of accounts for 2006/07. Two figures had been mistyped, one on page 38 and another on 52. Corrections have been made to the Minute Book.

    Members were made aware of the new format for presenting the accounting statements and discussed, in particular, aspects of the pension fund account.

    RESOLVED:

    That the Draft Statement of Accounts for 2006/07 be approved.

77 APPOINTMENTS TO THE ASSET MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP

    The Committee considered the report of the Clerk (Item 7 in the Minute Book) seeking the re-appointment of members to the Asset Management Working Group.

    RESOLVED:

    That the following members be appointed to the Asset Management Working Group:

    Councillors: D. Horne

        K. House

        P.R.C. Hutcheson (Chairman)

        R.H. Price

        M.J. Woodhall

      M.F. Cartwright - ex officio member as Chairman of the Fire Authority

        R. Smith - ex officio member as Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee