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 15 January 2009

PRESENT:

Councillors: R. Smith (Chairman); I.F.E. Beagley; M.F. Cartwright; M.G. Cooper; Mrs J.K. Frankum; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R.H. Price; D. Simpson

124 APOLOGIES

      Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A.D.G. Evans, K. House and Mrs M.J. Tucker.

125 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.

126 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

127 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made to this meeting.

128 BUDGET MONITORING: 3RD QUARTER 2008/09

      The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) setting out the latest budget position. Members acknowledged the reliance and pressure on capital receipts in the capital programme for 2009/10 - 2011/12 and therefore supported the proposed contribution of £250,000 forecasted underspending to the Capital Payments Reserve. The Committee agreed that the remaining underspend of £66,000 should be used to help meet any unavoidable spending pressures.

      It was highlighted that the current year's budget provision of £300,000 for the equal pay award would be added to the Equal Pay Reserve at the end of 2008/09 to be available in 2009/10 if agreement was not reached before the end of the financial year.

RESOLVED:

That there be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority:

      (a) That the latest budget position be noted, and the contribution of £250,000 to the Capital Payments Reserve be approved.

      (b) That the 2008/09 capital programme be increased to include the Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) facilities at a value of £100,000, and that it be financed by revenue contributions from training budgets.

129 UPDATED DRAFT BUDGET 2009/10

      The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the changes to the financial projections for 2009/10 since the draft budget was presented to the Authority at its meeting on 10 December 2008.

      It was highlighted that the expected sale of land at Carpenters Down had fallen through, but that impact would largely and fortuitously be offset by an additional capital grant of £2.1m over 2 years which had recently been announced by the Government.

      Members were informed that a surplus of £225,000 had been allocated to the Authority from the billing authorities collection funds which is of a one-off nature. On this basis it was felt that the £225,000 surplus shouldn't be factored in to an increase or reduction of council tax, but instead be put into reserves.

      The Committee received feedback from the budget consultation undertaken with stakeholders, council tax payers and the business community prior to the meeting. Members were informed that the consultation had been largely positive. Representatives seemed content with the possibility of an increase of 4.1% in council tax, as this would be lower than the 2009 state pension increase of 5.0% and felt this would provide a cushion in future years.

      Members discussed extensively the issues surrounding the budget and the implications for the taxpayer and the Authority of the different levels of council tax increase. The Committee was conscious of the need to balance the impact of increases on those struggling on low incomes against the need to provide an effective and modern fire and rescue service. It was felt that a council tax increase of 3.7% rather than 4.1% would not reduce the improvements to the effectiveness of the Service, as the difference in total budget would be fairly minimal. It was therefore

RESOLVED:

    That there be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority:

      (a) That the budget be set as closely as possible to a level (estimated at 3.7% prior to finalisation of tax bases) which allows for the base budget and all the growth to be funded.

      (b) That the capital programme and associated Prudential Indicators set out in appendices 4 and 7 of the report be approved.

      (c) That the Treasury Management Strategy and the recommendations contained within it as set out in Appendix 8 of the report be approved.

      (d) That the policy on Minimum Revenue Provision as set out in section 9 of the report be approved.

130 POLICY ON TREATMENT OF CASH INVESTMENT CAPITAL LOSSES

      The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the policy on the treatment of cash investment capital losses, that detailed how any loss is divided out when the Authority delegates treasury management to Hampshire County Council.

      RESOLVED:

      That there be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority that it agrees to share any capital losses on pooled cash balances on a pro rata basis and that any losses on deposits specifically made on behalf of the Authority should be borne in full.

131 DISPOSAL OF COPNOR FIRE STATION

      The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the disposal of Copnor Fire Station. Members agreed to declare it surplus to operational requirements and authorised the Chief Officer to begin marketing the site in Summer 2009.

      RESOLVED:

      That the site of the former Copnor Fire Station, Copnor Road, Portsmouth be declared surplus to operational requirements and that the Chief Officer be authorised to market the property, to establish the current market value and whether it would be prudent to try and sell the property during 2009.

132 HFRS RESPONSE TO PROCUREMENT STRATEGY 2008-11

      The Committee received the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the HFRS response to the National Procurement Strategy for Fire and Rescue Services 2008/11. There was yet to be a reply to this.

      RESOLVED:

      That the HFRS response to the National Procurement Strategy for Fire and Rescue Services 2008/11 be noted.

133 CANCELLATION OF MEETING 24 JUNE 2009

      It was noted that the meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee on 24 June 2009 had been cancelled as membership of the Committee would be decided at the meeting of the full Authority on 24 June 2009.