Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 10 December, 2008
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.F. Cartwright (Chairman); I.F.E. Beagley; K. Chapman; M.G. Cooper;
A. Evans; A. Fraser; E.F. Gale, MBE; P. Galton; D. Harrison; K. House; L. Hunt; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R.J. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; P. Marsh-Jenks; R. McIntosh;
Sam Payne; R.H. Price; R. Smith; Mrs. M. Tucker.
297 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors R. Baulk; Mrs. J. Frankum; D. Fuller and D. Simpson.
298 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or 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, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Code.
All Members declared a personal interest in the item about the review of HFRA Members' Allowances (Minute 310 refers) but were advised by the Clerk that they need not treat this as a prejudicial interest and therefore could speak and vote during the course of any debate in the normal way.
299 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 17 September, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
300 DEPUTATIONS
Pursuant to Standing Order 19, the Authority received a deputation by Eddie Burrows, the newly appointed Hampshire Chairman of the Fire Brigades Union, opposing the extension of Co-responder schemes within Hampshire.
301 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
There were no Members' questions. Councillor K. Chapman reported on his attendance at the Fire Sprinkler 2008 Conference arranged by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) on 13 November 2008 at Chepstow, Monmouthshire. The Authority noted the conference programme and that it was the only UK event dedicated to an examination of the use of sprinklers as the most effective means of protecting people, property and the environment. Councillor Chapman circulated copies of a DVD showing different aspects of Fire Sprinkler Systems.
302 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman welcomed Councillor Mrs. M. Tucker to her first meeting of the Authority in place of Councillor P. Heath.
The Chairman reported that following on from the peer Elected Member support which Councillor D.A. Kirk had been leading on with Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, arrangements had been made for Members of that Authority to visit HFRS Headquarters and attend a CMT meeting on 22 January 2009. Members of the HFRA were reminded that they had also been invited that day and should let the Chief Officer know if they were able to attend.
On behalf of the Authority, the Chairman offered his congratulations to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service on reaching Level 3 of the Equality Standard for Local Government. Hampshire was one of only two Authorities in the South East to have reached this standard (the other being Kent). He also referred to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services Awards "Celebrating Success" held at the Guildhall, Winchester on 27 November, 2008 and to the Equality and Diversity Charter for Fire Service Members which had been sent out by the Local Government Association for signature and which he commended to all Members.
The Chairman was pleased to report the continuation for a further four years of a successful partnership between the Service and Hampshire County Council to improve fire safety in buildings. The partnership was originally launched in 2005 and since that time had resulted in a number of successes which include: a reduction in the cost and number of major arson incidents, the introduction of a targeted arson reduction strategy and a reduction in the number of false alarms from automatic fire alarms in premises. The Authority further noted that the County Council had provided over 25 sprinkler systems following the assessment advice of a seconded fire officer in a range of projects including schools and residential care homes.
Finally, the Chairman was delighted to welcome to the meeting, Gary Sloan, Watch Manager (Retained Duty System) who had been successful in winning a Leadership Award at the South East Princes Trust regional event. This followed his fifteen month secondment with the Trust from the Fire Service's Community Safety department. The award was in recognition of Mr. Sloan's dedication, determination and enthusiasm. The Chairman congratulated Gary and presented him with a certificate.
303 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the group areas.
304 VACANCY ON FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
The Chairman reported on the need to fill a vacancy on the Finance and General Purposes Committee in place of Councillor P. Heath who was no longer serving on the Fire Authority.
RESOLVED:
That Councillor Mrs M. Tucker be appointed in place of Councillor P. Heath to serve on the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
305 DRAFT BUDGET 2009/10
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the draft budget for 2009/10. The Director of Corporate Services gave a presentation highlighting the main issues that were taken into account in compiling the proposed budget.
In supporting the contents of the report, Members were concerned to learn that, as a result of delays to the implementation of the new Regional Control Centres, the Authority would have to bear the risk and associated costs of maintaining the Service's existing command, control and communication system for a longer period than previously anticipated. They felt strongly that their concerns should be conveyed to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(a) That the base budget be approved.
(b) That arrangements be made for statutory consultations on draft budget proposals consistent with a range of four possible Council tax increases as set out in paragraph 6.4 of the report, i.e. 2.7%, 3.3%, 3.8% and 4.1%.
(c) That the final budget and Council tax be set by the Authority at its meeting on 11 February 2009.
(d) That the Chairman write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government expressing this Authority's concerns about HFRS having to bear the costs of maintaining the existing Control Centre for a longer period than previously anticipated due to further delays with the implementation of the Regional Control Centre and that the Chairman take this issue up with the Regional Management Board as soon as possible.
306 REGIONAL CONTROL CENTRE AND SOUTH-EAST REGIONAL LOCAL CONTROLLED COMPANY
Alan House, Director of Strategic Projects and Specialist Response gave a presentation to the Authority on progress in relation to the key elements of the South East Regional Control Project. Councillor R. Price added his own comments which were noted. A copy of the presentation given at the meeting appears as Item 10 in the Minute Book.
307 HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE PLAN - PROGRESS REPORT ON CONSULTATION
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) about the interim feedback from consultation with stakeholders on the proposed corporate objectives for the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan 2009 to 2012. A full report of the outcomes will be reported to the Authority at its meeting on 11 February, 2009.
RESOLVED:
That the feedback from consultation with stakeholders on the proposed corporate objectives for the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan 2009-2012 be noted.
308 DISPOSAL OF WINCHESTER FIRE STATION AND 60 NORTH WALLS, WINCHESTER
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) about the disposal of the Winchester Fire Station and 60 North Walls, Winchester.
RESOLVED:
That the offer submitted by Renaissance Retirement Limited for the freehold of Winchester Fire Station and 60 North Walls, Winchester be accepted on the basis that the completion of the sale shall not take place until 1 April 2011 or earlier by agreement between the parties.
309 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 arising from the South East Fire and Rescue Services' Regional Management Board meeting held on 8 October 2008.
310 REVIEW OF EXISTING HFRA MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 14 in the Minute Book) setting out the recommendations of the HFRA Independent Remuneration Panel meeting held on 10 November 2008 in relation to the current HFRA Members' Allowances Scheme.
Prior to any discussion on this item, the Chairman introduced amended recommendations which had been tabled earlier at the meeting (Item 14(a) in the Minute Book). Members noted that they were in line with similar decisions recently taken by Hampshire County Council on its Members' Allowances Scheme.
The Authority supported the amended recommendations which had been tabled. Accordingly, it was
RESOLVED:
(a) That members basic and special responsibility allowances be increased from the 1 April 2009 in accordance with the percentage increase awarded to the non-uniformed officers pay award for fire authorities 2008/09.
(b) That the remainder of the current members allowances scheme continues at the current level, subject to:-
(i) Special Responsibility Allowance for Chairman of the Standards Committee being reduced to £1944 in addition to the £648 Independent Member basic allowance.
(ii) Special Responsibility Allowance for Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee be reduced to £486.
(iii) Childcare Allowance be increased to £6.00 per hour with the ceiling for that and the dependant carers being removed.
(c) That the Authority does not consider that a full review of the members allowance scheme is necessary in 2009 but that the Independent Remuneration Panel be asked to consider applying for the next three years, an annual increase in the allowances which reflects the annual pay award to non-uniformed officers for fire authorities.
311 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEES - 19 SEPTEMBER AND 14 NOVEMBER, 2008
The Authority received the Minutes of the Governance Committee meetings held on 19 September and 14 November 2008. They adopted the recommendations to the Authority about financial regulations and standing orders on contracts (Items 15(a) and 15(b) in the Minute Book).
312 MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - 19 NOVEMBER, 2008
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 19 November, 2008. (Item 16 in the Minute Book).
313 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 28 NOVEMBER, 2008
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 28 November, 2008 (Item 17 in the Minute Book).
314 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 23 OCTOBER, 2008
The Authority received the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held on 23 October, 2008. They adopted the recommendation to the Authority in relation to budget monitoring 2008/09 (Item 18 in the Minute Book).
315 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items 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 these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to 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 above.
316 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE - 23 OCTOBER 2008: EXEMPT MINUTE ON VEHICLE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME 2009/10 AND 2010/11
The Authority considered and adopted the exempt report of the Chief Officer and exempt recommendation to the Authority relating to the Vehicle Replacement Programme 2009/10 and 2010/11 (Item 20 in the Minute Book).
[SUMMARY OF EXEMPT MINUTE]
317 NEW WINCHESTER FIRE STATION - PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Authority considered and approved the exempt report of the Chief Officer (Item 21 in the Minute Book) about the proposed scheme for a new Winchester Fire Station.
[SUMMARY OF EXEMPT MINUTE]