Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at The Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 13 February, 2008.

PRESENT:

Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); R. Baulk; I.F.E. Beagley; K. Chapman;

M.G. Cooper; B.D. Dash; L. Dunsdon; A. Fraser; E.F. Gale, MBE; P. Galton; D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; D. Horne; L. Hunt; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R.J. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Sam Payne; R.H. Price; D. Simpson; R. Smith; R. Williams; M.J. Woodhall.

234 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs. J. Frankum.

235 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.

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

236 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 12 December, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

237 DEPUTATIONS

Pursuant to Standing Order 17, the Authority received deputations by Mrs S. Cornish; Mr. J. Fleming; Mrs P. Mordaunt; Councillor A. Thompson; Councillor M. Park. Councillor Mrs Lynne Stagg and Councillor A. Bentley. Each of the deputations made were against the closure of Copnor Fire Station as proposed in the draft Integrated Risk Management Plan 2008-2011 (Minute 241 below refers).

238 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS

There were no Members' questions.

239 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported with sadness on the death of former County Councillor Mick Jones, who had been a Member of the Combined Fire Authority when it was established in 1997 and had served on the HFRA Personnel Committee as it was known at that time.

The Authority were reminded that Councillor R. Price had previously been appointed as the HFRA representative on the Local Authority Controlled Company for the proposed new Regional Control Centre. A deputy representative of the Fire Authority was now required and the Chairman had agreed to undertake this role. It was noted that an item on the Regional Control Centre would appear at each future meeting of the Authority.

Finally, the Chairman asked Members to make every effort to attend the Members Awareness Session taking place after this meeting.

240 NEW MEMBERS AND APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES

The Chairman welcomed County Councillor Brian Dash, Portsmouth City Councillor Andy Fraser and Southampton City Councillor Peter Galton who had been appointed as new Members of the Fire Authority. It was noted that they had replaced Councillors Keith House, Darron Phillips and Sue Jackson respectively.

RESOLVED:

(a) That Councillor B.D. Dash be appointed in place of Councillor K. House to serve on the Finance and General Purposes and Human Resources Committees and on the Eastleigh Crime and Disorder Partnership until the Annual Authority meeting on 4 June 2008.


(b) That Councillor A. Fraser be appointed in place of Councillor D. Phillips to serve on the Standards Committee and on the Portsmouth Crime and Disorder Partnership until the Annual Authority meeting on 4 June 2008.


(c) That Councillor P. Galton be appointed in place of Councillor S. Jackson to serve on the Governance and Human Resources Committees and on the Winchester Crime and Disorder Partnership until the Annual Authority meeting on 4 June 2008.

241 DRAFT INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2011 - FEEDBACK FROM STAKE-HOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND REVISIONS TO THE CORPORATE OBJECTIVES

[Prior to the commencement of this item, a number of letters were circulated to Authority Members on behalf of Copnor, Milton and other Portsmouth residents opposing the closure of Copnor Fire Station. Also, a petition containing 10,000 signatures against its closure had been referred to by Councillor Lynne Stagg in her earlier deputation to the Authority].

The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) about the extensive consultation with key stakeholders on the proposed corporate objectives for the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2008-2011.

The Chief Officer gave a detailed presentation to the meeting summarising the consultation feedback and how this had led to some proposed changes now being recommended for approval as part of the updated IRMP. The proposal relating to Copnor Fire Station had generated the greatest number of comments and this was covered in depth. A copy of the presentation made by the Chief Officer was circulated at the meeting (Item 8(i) in the Minute Book).

Prior to any discussion on this item, the Chairman put forward an amendment supported by Councillor Horne to delete revised corporate objective 10. In its place, it was proposed to recommend the relocation of personnel and equipment from Copnor Fire Station to Southsea and Cosham Fire Stations and to instruct the Chief Officer to establish, in conjunction with local partners, a community contact point as a location for the deployment for a pumping appliance and crew at key times of the day that was closer to highest risk areas within the current Copnor Fire Station ground prior to its final closure. It was further recommended in the amendment that the Chief Officer should involve staff in the movement of resources and in the proposed establishment of the community contact point and to commence the closure of Copnor Fire Station from 2 April, 2008. The Chief Officer would be asked to update Members about the establishment of the community contact point at the next meeting of the Authority.

A full discussion ensued and, whilst the Authority supported each of the proposed corporate objectives 01-09 and 11-18, a number of Members felt unable to support the amendment put at the meeting by the Chairman and strongly urged that Copnor Fire Station should remain open. As a result, an alternative proposal was made. This was to delete revised corporate objective 10 in its entirety and to thereby remove any reference to the closure of Copnor Fire Station.

The required number of Members, pursuant to Standing Order 16(3), signified their support for the voting on the amendment to keep Copnor Fire Station open to be recorded to show how each Member voted.

Members supporting this amendment:

M.G. Cooper; B.D. Dash; L. Dunsdon; A. Fraser; E.F. Gale, MBE; P. Galton; D. Harrison; L. Hunt; Sam Payne; R.H. Price; D. Simpson.

Total 11

Members opposing this amendment.

R. Baulk. I.F.E. Beagley; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; P.A. Heath, D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R.J. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; R. Smith; R. Williams; M.J. Woodhall.

Total 13

Members abstaining:

None

Members also gave their support for the voting on the earlier amendment put by the Chairman to be recorded to show how each Member voted.

Members supporting the Chairman's amendment:

R. Baulk; I.F.E. Beagley; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; E.F. Gale, MBE; P.A. Heath, D. Horne; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R.J. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; R. Smith; R. Williams; M.J. Woodhall.

Total 14:

Members against:

None

Members abstaining:

M.G. Cooper; B.D. Dash; L. Dunsdon; A. Fraser; P. Galton; D. Harrison; L. Hunt; Sam Payne; R.H. Price; D. Simpson .

Total: 10

Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

(a) That Members note the summary of stakeholder feedback as set out as Appendix 1 to this report.


(b) That the new title, "The Fire and Rescue Plan 2008 - 2011" and general format and content of the draft Integrated Risk Management Plan as set out in Appendix 2 to this report be approved.


(c) That the revised corporate objectives:


01 Reducing preventable incidents

02 Mainstreaming equality and diversity

03 Working with volunteers

04 Introducing Diversity Liaison Officers

05 Learning more about our community

06 Improving emergency cover in Havant

07 Reducing our impact on the environment

08 Promoting fire protection systems

09 Improving safety in the home

10 Relocating our resources in Portsmouth

11 Improving road safety

12 Relocating Winchester Fire Station

13 Developing Regional Working

14 Children and young people review

15 RDS staff delivering community safety

16 Community Safety Officers

17 Development of Cosham Fire Station

18 Learning from our presence at Popley Fields.


as set out in full and numbered 01 to 18 in the draft Plan be approved, subject to revised corporate objective 10 being deleted and replaced with an amended objective 10, as follows :

"Personnel and equipment will be relocated from Copnor Fire Station to Southsea and Cosham Fire Stations and, that the Chief Officer be instructed to establish, in conjunction with local partners, a community contact point as a location for the deployment for a pumping appliance and crew at key times of the day that is closer to highest risk areas within the current Copnor Fire Station ground prior to its final closure. As in previous moves, the Chief Officer will involve his staff in the movement of resources and in the establishment of the community contact point and will commence the closure of Copnor Fire Station from 2 April 2008".


(d) That the Chief Officer prepare a report for the next meeting of the Authority on 4 June 2008 on progress regarding the establishment of the community contact point referred to in (c) above.

242 MINUTES OF FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 17 JANUARY 2008

The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held on 17 January 2008 (Item 9 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendation on budget monitoring. They agreed to consider the recommendations in relation to the budget for 2008/09, the capital programme and associated prudential indicators and treasury management system as part of the subsequent item on the budget for 2008/09 (Minute 243 refers).

243 BUDGET 2008/09

The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the budget 2008/09. The Director of Corporate Services summarised the main issues involved in the construction of the budget, highlighting the key elements and feed back from the statutory consultation exercise.

The Authority in supporting the proposed budget 2008/09 and the recommended 3.85% increase in the Council Tax as proposed in the report, also agreed to a Member's proposal that it would be appropriate to delegate authority to the Finance and General Purposes Committee to approve the transfer of funds, particularly the capital payments reserve, to support the Authority's general reserve if it became necessary. Accordingly, it was


RESOLVED:

(a) That the revenue budget as set out in Appendix 3 of the report be approved.


(b) That the capital programme, as set out in Appendix 6 of the report and the associated prudential indicators as set out in Appendix 7 of the report be approved.


(c) That the total budget requirement for the general expenses of the Authority for the year beginning 1 April 2008 be £64,600,000.00.


(d) That the Authority's basic council tax for the year beginning 1 April 2008 be £58.23.


(e) That the Authority's council tax for the year beginning 1 April 2008 for properties in each tax band be:

(f) That precepts be issued totalling £36,200,418.83 on the billing authorities in Hampshire, requiring the payment, in such instalments and on such dates set by them and previously notified to the Authority, in proportion to the tax base of each billing authority's area as determined by them which are set out below:

£
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council 61,753.90
East Hampshire District Council 47,352.44
Eastleigh Borough Council 43,445.08
Fareham Borough Council 42,200.00
Gosport Borough Council 27,432.40
Hart District Council 37,667.80
Havant Borough Council 42,483.00
New Forest District Council 72,101.30
Portsmouth City Council 58,709.20
Rushmoor Borough Council 30,928.94
Southampton City Council 65,410.70
Test Valley Borough Council 45,148.00
Winchester City Council 47,047.11
Total 621,679.87


(g) That the Treasury Management Strategy set out in Appendix 9 of the report be approved.


(h) That the Finance and General Purposes Committee be given delegated authority to approve the transfer of funds as necessary, from any specific reserve (including the capital payments reserve) to support the Authority's general reserve.

243 PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITIES BY THE AUDIT COMMISSION 2007

The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) concerning the most recent performance assessment of fire and rescue authorities by the Audit Commission. Members were delighted on the excellent results achieved by Hampshire and paid tribute to the Chief Officer and his staff. It was noted that the report on this item would be presented to the next meeting of the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the excellent results obtained by the Authority in the Audit Commission's 2007 national performance assessment of fire and rescue authorities be noted and that the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service be congratulated on improvement to an already high standard of performance.

244 ACTIVITY REPORT

The Authority received the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the group areas.

245 SOUTH EAST FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD - UPDATE

The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) outlining the key issues from the South East Fire and Rescue Services Regional Management Board meeting held on 16 January 2008.

246 NATIONAL FRAMEWORK 2008/11 - CONSULTATION EXERCISE

The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on the Authority's formal response to the National Framework Consultation on 2008/11.

247 COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT : FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY STRATEGY 2008-2018 - CONSULTATION FEEDBACK

The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) about the consultation feedback on the Community and Local Government : Fire and Rescue Service Equality and Diversity Strategy 2008-2018 which provided a framework to enable Fire and Rescue Services to tackle inequalities.

248 SCHEME OF DELEGATION TO OFFICERS - THE AUTHORITY'S ESTATE

The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer and Clerk (Item 16 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to appropriate revisions to the Scheme of Delegation to officers in relation to routine estates matters. A Member expressed his concerns about the safety of mobile telecommunication installations and was against them being erected on any fire station communication masts. The Chief Officer confirmed that the report only referred to the renewal of such existing leases with mobile telecommunication companies and agreed to review the current arrangements in the light of the Member's concerns and to report on this to a future meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the revisions to Section D (`The Authority's Estate') of the Scheme of Delegation to Officers as set out in Appendix 2 of the report be approved.


(b) That, subject to the Authority approving the corporate objective to redevelop Winchester Fire Station on the former vehicle workshops site at Winnall, Winchester, the current Winchester Fire Station site at North Walls, Winchester, be declared surplus to future requirements and that the Chief Officer be authorised to arrange for the marketing of the site in anticipation of the site being vacated.


(c) That the Chief Officer and Clerk be authorised to enter into two agreements to formalise the current position relating to the occupation of the Temporary Fire Station at Popley Fields Community Centre, Carpenters Down, Basingstoke on the basis of terms outlined in paragraph 5.1 of the report.


(d) That the Chief Officer and Clerk be authorised to enter into a renewed lease with Orange Personal Communications Services Limited in respect of Hardley Fire Station on terms to be determined by the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Authority's estates advisers.


(e) That the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority authorise the Clerk to the Authority to enter into a renewed lease with 02(UK) Ltd in respect of Rushmoor Fire Station on the terms provisionally agreed and set out in paragraph 7.1 of the report.


(f) That the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority authorise the Clerk to the Authority to enter into a renewed lease with Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd in respect of Hightown Fire Station on terms to be agreed by the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Authority's estates advisers.


(g) That the Chief Officer and Clerk be authorised to enter into a renewed lease with T-Mobile (UK) Ltd in respect of the Headquarters site at Eastleigh on the terms provisionally agreed and outlined in paragraph 9 of the report.


(h) That the Chief Officer and Clerk be authorised to agree terms with Winchester City Council to change the nature of the tenure of six properties in Lower Brook Street, Winchester (previously declared surplus to the Authority's operational requirements) from `flying freehold' to more conventional leasehold status.

249 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 1 FEBRUARY 2008

The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 1 February 2008 and agreed the recommendation in relation to the adoption of the Corporate Equality Plan. Councillor Chapman congratulated the Fire Service on its Investors in People accreditation and paid particular tribute to the work undertaken by Area Manager, Bob Ratcliffe on this matter.

250 APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO FUTURE CONFERENCES AND EXHIBITIONS

The Authority considered the appointment of Members to attend the Fire and Rescue Conference and Exhibition 27-29 August 2008 in Liverpool and the LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition 1 - 3 July 2008 in Bournemouth.

RESOLVED:

(a) That Councillors M.F. Cartwright and R. Smith be appointed to attend the Fire and Rescue Conference and Exhibition on 27-29 August 2008 in Liverpool and that a further Liberal Democrat Member nomination be notified to the Chief Officer in the near future.


(b) That Councillors P. Heath, R. Smith and L. Dunsdon be appointed to attend the LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition on 1 - 3 July 2008 in Bournemouth and that any further nominations to attend on one or more days only, be notified to the Chief Officer in the near future.

4gM540208