Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Headquarters, Eastleigh on 27 November, 2007.
PRESENT:
Councillors: D.A. Kirk (Chairman); I.F.E. Beagley; K.G. Chapman;
L.T. Dunsdon; Sam Payne; D. Simpson and R. Williams.
96 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.J. Baulk and L. Hunt.
97 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, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Code.
All County Council Members declared a personal interest in the item about the Best Value Review of Service Level Agreements with Hampshire County Council (Minute 102 refers) but were advised by the Clerk that they need not treat this as a prejudicial interest and therefore could speak during the course of the debate in the normal way.
98 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 September, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
99 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations made under this item.
100 BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND LOCAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) highlighting the performance indicators data for the second quarter of 2007/08.
Members noted a good level of overall progress in most areas. However, they were particularly pleased by the outcome of the Peer Review Audit in September which was likely to show the achievement of Level 2 for Equality Standard (BV2a) and to show areas for development to achieve a Level 3. There was a general discussion about the data relating to staff from minority ethnic groups (BV17a). It was noted that, in its present form, this indicator did not take into account the new Polish and other Eastern European migrants now living in Hampshire, particularly in the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton. Members fully supported a new initiative outlined by the Chief Officer at the meeting which aimed to reward fire stations able to demonstrate such improvements as a reduction in energy consumption and absence management and response standards.
RESOLVED:
That the performance of the HFRS for the indicators being reported be noted and that the strategies to meet the targets be endorsed.
101 RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS ARISING FROM INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on progress towards meeting the recommendations made in internal and external audit reports.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee notes the audit action reports and progress made towards the implementation of recommendations for improvement.
102 PROGRESS REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET THE RECOMMENDATIONS DETAILED IN THE REPORT OF THE BEST VALUE REVIEW OF SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS WITH HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on actions taken to meet the recommendations arising from the Best Value Review of Service Level Agreements with Hampshire County Council.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee approves the updated Action Plan and agrees to receive further reports on progress.
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