Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 4 June 2008.
PRESENT:
Councillors: R. Baulk; I.F.E. Beagley; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; M.G. Cooper; L. Dunsdon; A. Evans; Mrs. J. Frankum; A. Fraser; E.F. Gale, MBE; L. Hunt; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R.J. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; Sam Payne; R.H. Price; D. Simpson; R. Smith.
252 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors D. Fuller; P. Galton; D. Harrison; P.A. Heath; K. House and P. Marsh-Jenks.
253 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED:
That Councillor M.F. Cartwright be appointed Chairman until the annual meeting of the Authority in 2009.
254 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMEN
RESOLVED:
That Councillors I.F.E. Beagley and R. Smith be appointed Vice-Chairmen until the annual meeting of the Authority in 2009.
255 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 the 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.
256 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 13 February, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Appointment of Members to Conferences
On Minute 251, the Chairman undertook to confirm to the Chief Officer the Conservative Members who would be attending the LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition on 1-3 July, 2008 in Bournemouth.
257 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
258 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
There were no Members' questions.
259 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman welcomed Councillor A. Evans to his first meeting of the Authority in place of Councillor M.J. Woodhall. Councillors K. House, D. Fuller and P. Marsh-Jenks who had replaced Councillors B.D. Dash, D. Phillips and R. Williams respectively, were unable to attend on this occasion.
The Chairman reported with sadness on the deaths of two Hampshire firefighters. It was noted that Stephen Capp, a serving firefighter at Yateley Fire Station had sadly died on the morning of 26 March, 2008 following an off duty collision between a car and his motorcycle in Essex. Also, that Robert Beazley, a retained firefighter serving at Lymington Fire Station had sadly died on the morning of 11 April, 2008 whilst he was off duty. The Service was offering extensive support to the families of both firefighters.
Following their success at the 2007 World Vehicle Extrication and Trauma Championship, the Chairman was pleased to report that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's vehicle extrication team had won this year's European championships held in Osnabrueck, Germany on 26 and 27 April, 2008. The Authority congratulated those who had taken part on their success.
The Chairman reported on his visits to fire stations and on recent Conference and other events, including the opening by the Duke of Gloucester of the new Fleet Maintenance Centre at the Headquarters site, Eastleigh.
The Authority noted the recent launch of the National Equality and Diversity Strategy in London. The Strategy incorporated new expectations on Government, Regional Management Boards, Fire Authorities and Services to improve recruitment from underrepresented groups. A report on this item was due to be presented to the next meeting of the Authority.
In conclusion, the Chairman reported on Councillor Michael Woodhall's departure from the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority. This was as a result of his being appointed Chairman of Hampshire County Council and to the duties involved in that office. Councillor Woodhall had been associated with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority since 1993. During this time he had made a significant contribution and was highly respected by officers and other member colleagues. On behalf of the Authority, the Chairman undertook to write and congratulate him on his achievement and to wish him well in his new role. Also, the Chairman reported on Councillor David Horne's departure as a Member of the Authority and reported upon his intention to write and thank him for his most valuable service over many years. Finally, it was noted that Charlie House, Head of Community Safety for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Ejner Knudsen, the Treasurer's representative at meetings of the Authority would both be retiring shortly. Members wished them a happy retirement.
260 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the group areas.
In discussion, Members raised public safety issues concerning the transporting/storing of domestic gas cylinders. They noted that such issues concerning domestic gas barbeques had already been targeted by HFRS as part of their Summer Safety Campaign and that the Chief Officer would investigate extending their Safety Campaign in the light of Members' comments.
261 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES, CHAIRMEN, VICE-CHAIRMENSHIPS, DEPUTIES AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS AND UPDATED TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the appointment of Committees, deputies and various other appointments. It also made reference to some proposed changes to the terms of reference of committees.
RESOLVED:
(a) That, for the purposes of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the allocation of seats on the Finance and General Purposes, Governance, Human Resources, Performance Review and Scrutiny and Standards Committees of the Authority, be as follows:
Committee Conservative Liberal Democrat Labour Group
Group Group
Finance and 6 4 1
General Purposes
Human Resources 6 4 1
Performance Review 5 3 1
Governance 5 3 1
Standards 3 2 1
(plus 3 Independent Members)
(b) That, Members be appointed to the five Committees and other groups, as follows:-
Finance and General Purposes
I.F.E. Beagley (Vice-Chairman) K. House
M.F. Cartwright P.R.C Hutcheson
M.G. Cooper R.H. Price
A. Evans D. Simpson
Mrs. J. Frankum R. Smith (Southampton) (Chairman)
P.A. Heath
Human Resources
R. Baulk
K. Chapman (Chairman) L. Hunt (Portsmouth)
D. Fuller (Portsmouth) P. Marsh-Jenks (Southampton)
E.F. Gale MBE R. Kimber
P. Galton (Southampton) R. McIntosh (Vice-Chairman)
K. House Sam Payne
Governance
M.F. Cartwright D.A. Kirk
M.G. Cooper P. Marsh-Jenks (Southampton)
P. Galton (Southampton) R. McIntosh
D. Harrison R. Smith (Southampton) (Vice-Chairman)
P.R.C. Hutcheson (Chairman)
Performance Review and Scrutiny
R. Baulk (Vice-Chairman) D.A. Kirk (Chairman)
I.F.E. Beagley P. Marsh-Jenks (Southampton)
K. Chapman Sam Payne
L. Dunsdon D. Simpson
L. Hunt (Portsmouth)
Standards Independent Members
A. Evans Mrs. W. Allen
Mrs. J. Frankum Mr. M. James (Chairman)
A. Fraser (Portsmouth) Miss S. Roberts
E.F. Gale (Vice-Chairman)
D. Harrison
R. Kimber
Crime and Disorder Partnerships
K. Chapman - Basingstoke
M.F. Cartwright - East Hampshire
K. House - Eastleigh
R.H. Price - Fareham
Vacancy - Gosport
P.R.C. Hutcheson - Hart
E.F. Gale MBE - Havant
L. Dunsdon - New Forest
A. Fraser & L. Hunt - Portsmouth
R. Baulk - Rushmoor
R. Smith - Southampton
D.A. Kirk - Test Valley
P. Galton - Winchester
Corporate Management Team of Leading Members
M.F. Cartwright - Chairman
M.G. Cooper - Liberal Democrat Minority
Party Member
I.F.E. Beagley - Vice-Chairman
R. Smith - Vice-Chairman
R. Price - Liberal Democrat Minority
Party Spokesman
Mrs. J. Frankum - Labour Minority Party Spokesman
K. Chapman - Chairman of Human Resources Committee
and also a Member of Performance Review
and Scrutiny Committee
P.R.C. Hutcheson - Chairman of Asset Management Working Group of
Finance and General Purposes Committee
(c) That Councillor R. Price (with Councillor M.F. Cartwright as deputy) be appointed to serve as the HFRA Member representative on the Local Authority Controlled Company (LACC) in relation to the governance and management of the South East Regional Fire Control Centre.
(d) That the terms of reference for each of the Fire Authority's Committees be updated as explained in paragraph 6 of the submitted report and as highlighted in Appendix 3 of that report.
262 SOUTH EAST FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES' REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD - UPDATE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) outlining the key issues arising from the South East Fire and Rescue Services' Regional Management Board meeting held on 2 April, 2008.
263 SOUTH EAST REGIONAL FIRE CONTROL PROJECT
Andy Kettle, Area Manager and Councillor R. Price gave a joint presentation to the Authority on progress in relation to the South East Regional Fire Control Project. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation given at the meeting appears as Item 12 in the Minute Book).
264 THE FIRE AND RESCUE PLAN 2008-2011 : UPDATE ON OBJECTIVE 10 "RELOCATION OF OUR RESOURCES IN PORTSMOUTH"
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) about the decision taken by Members at the last meeting to approve the Integrated Risk Management Plan, including the proposal for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to permanently relocate resources within Portsmouth and to establish a Community Contact Point (CCP). The determination of the location of the CCP, its times of operation and delivery method was to be identified through analysis of the highest risks in the Copnor Station Ground. The report also dealt with the concept of the CCP, indicated potential options and next steps and provided an update in terms of progress. The Chief Officer anticipated that by October, 2008, a Community Contact Point would be established.
During a full discussion, Councillor R. Price introduced and tabled at the meeting a letter and covering plans on behalf of Councillor G. Vernon-Jackson, Leader of Portsmouth City Council for a new subsidiary fire station on the site of part of the current Copnor Fire Station (Item 13(a) in the Minute Book). In response to the Leader of Portsmouth City Council's letter, Councillor Price put forward an amendment, seconded by Councillor A. Fraser, to add a third recommendation to the submitted report so as to permit the newly tabled plans for a joint Community Contact Point and Community Fire Station to be considered at this meeting of the Authority.
The required number of Members, pursuant to Standing Order 16(3), signified their support for the voting on the amendment mentioned above to be recorded to show how each member voted.
Members supporting this amendment:
M. Cooper; L. Dunsdon; A. Fraser; L. Hunt; Sam Payne; R.H. Price; D. Simpson.
Total 7
Members opposing this amendment:
R. Baulk; I.F.E. Beagley; M.F. Cartwright; K. Chapman; A. Evans; E.F. Gale MBE; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh; R. Smith.
Total 11
Members abstaining
Mrs. J. Frankum
Total 1
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Authority note the progress being made in relation to the development of the Community Contact Point in support of the Fire and Rescue Services Plan 2008-2011, "Objective 10, relocating our resources in Portsmouth".
(b) That the Authority note the next steps and direction of travel that are necessary so as to ensure that the implementation of the Community Contact point in Portsmouth is a successful addition to the HFRS community risk reduction strategy in the City.
265 IMPROVEMENT PLANNING REGISTER
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on the proposed latest version of the Authority's Improvement Planning Register.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the latest update of the Authority's Improvement Planning Register which details the actions taken to address the corporate issues identified for improvement be noted.
(b) That the strategies and actions that have been completed, be discharged from the Register.
266 MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - 5 MARCH, 2008
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee held on 5 March, 2007 (Item 15 in the Minute Book).
267 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - 28 MARCH, 2008
The Authority received the Minutes of the Governance Committee held on 28 March, 2008 (Item 16 in the Minute Book).
268 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 11 APRIL, 2008
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 11 April, 2008 (Item 17 in the Minute Book) and adopted the recommendation about the South East Employers Charter for Elected Member development. It would now be the intention to establish a cross-party steering group of members to oversee the completion of the self-assessment and to deliver the future action plan.
269 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 24 APRIL, 2008
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 24 April, 2008 (Item 18 in the Minute Book) and noted recent developments by the Chief Officer in relation to the disposal of a portion of land in the Basingstoke area.
[Summary of exempt minute]
270 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, the public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the report.