Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY held at the Borough Council Offices, Eastleigh on 24 June, 2009
PRESENT:
Councillors: I.F.E. Beagley; A. Carew; C. Carter; K. Chapman; A. Evans; L. Fairhurst; J. Frankum; A. Fraser; D. Fuller; P. Galton; D. Harrison; F. Jonas; D.A. Kirk; P. Marsh-Jenks;
R. McIntosh; Sam Payne; F. Pearce; R. Price; D. Simpson; R. Smith; M. Tucker; A. Weeks; J. West; P. West.
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R. Kimber.
2 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED:
That Councillor R. Smith be appointed Chairman until the Annual Meeting of the Authority in 2010.
3 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMEN
RESOLVED:
That Councillors I. Beagley and A. Evans be appointed Vice-Chairmen until the Annual Meeting of the Authority in 2010.
4 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, 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.
5 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Authority held on 11 February, 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
6 DEPUTATION
Pursuant to Standing Order 19, the Authority received a deputation by Mr. E. Burrows in support of the Fire Services new maternity policy and about his concerns over the consultation process regarding the proposal for crewing frontline fire appliances with four riders.
7 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
Whilst there were no Members' questions, Councillor Mrs. J. Frankum gave a verbal report on the Fire and Rescue Conference which she had attended from 12-14 May, 2009 in Birmingham.
8 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The new Chairman paid tribute to Councillor Michael Cartwright the former Chairman of the Authority. He welcomed the seven new County Council members namely Councillors Carew, Carter, Fairhurst, Pearce, Weeks, J. West and P. West and the new Portsmouth Member Councillor Fuller who had served on the Authority before.
The Chairman reported that the Chief Officer had recently become President of the Chief Fire Officer's Association. As well as a significant personal achievement for John Bonney, it was a clear acknowledgement by his professional peers of how well he was regarded. The previous three Chief Fire Officers in Hampshire had all been past presidents of the Association. The Authority noted that Mr. Bonney was really disappointed not to be at this meeting but his first duty as president had taken him to a meeting of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs in Canada.
The Chairman reminded Members of the "awareness session" covering various topics which would be held at Fire Service Headquarters following the Authority meeting. It was felt that new Members would find this particularly worthwhile to attend.
Finally, Members' attention was drawn to a Parliamentary Seminar entitled "UK Fire Losses At An All time High - What More To Do About Now?". The Seminar was to be held on 13 July, 2009 and include presentations by the Secretary General of the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association, Chairmen of the Fire Safety Development Group and key speakers from the insurance industry. A Member representative of the Authority was invited to attend and Councillor K. Chapman volunteered, subject to his availability that day.
9 ACTIVITY REPORT
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) highlighting prevention, protection and response activities in each of the group areas.
10 APPOINTMENTS OF COMMITTEES, CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMENSHIPS, DEPUTIES AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS
The Authority considered the report of the Clerk (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the appointment of Committees, Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, deputies and other appointments.
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 Committees of the Authority, and the allocation of seats to the Standards Committee, be as set out in Paragraph 3.3 of the report.
(b) That the Authority re-appoint Members of the Finance and General Purposes, Governance, Human Resources, Performance Review and Scrutiny and Standards Committees and their respective Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, as follows:-
Finance and General Purposes
I. Beagley (Chairman) F. Pearce
A. Carew R. Price
C. Carter D. Simpson
A. Evans (Vice-Chairman) R. Smith (Southampton)
L. Fairhurst A. Weeks
Human Resources
A. Carew F. Jonas (Portsmouth)
(Vice-Chairman)
K. Chapman (Chairman) R. Kimber
J. Frankum S. Payne
A. Fraser (Portsmouth) Mrs. M. Tucker
P. Galton (Southampton) J. West
P. West
Governance
L. Fairhurst (Vice-Chairman) P. Marsh-Jenks (Southampton)
D. Fuller (Portsmouth) R. McIntosh (Chairman)
P. Galton (Southampton) R. Smith (Southampton)
D. Harrison Mrs. M. Tucker
D.A. Kirk
Performance Review and Scrutiny
I. Beagley S. Payne
K. Chapman D. Simpson
A. Evans A. Weeks
J. Frankum P. West (Vice-Chairman)
D.A. Kirk (Chairman)
Standards Committee Independent Members
C. Carter Mrs. W. Allen
J. Frankum Mrs. M. James (Chairman)
A. Fraser (Portsmouth) Miss S. Roberts
D. Harrison
F. Jonas (Portsmouth)
R. Kimber
(c) That the Authority appoint one member to each of the 13 Crime and Disorder Reduction/Community Safety Partnerships currently operated by the 11 districts and 2 unitary authorities in the Authority's area as follows:
Basingstoke - K. Chapman
East Hampshire - J. West
Eastleigh - Vacancy
Fareham - R. Price
Gosport - A. Carter
Hart - D. Simpson
Havant - F. Pearce
New Forest - A. Weeks
Portsmouth - Vacancy
Rushmoor - R. Kimber
Southampton - R. Smith
Test Valley - D. Kirk
Winchester - Vacancy
(d) That the Corporate Management Team continue as previously and comprise as follows:
R. Smith (Chairman)
I. Beagley (Vice-Chairman)
A. Evans (Vice-Chairman)
K. Chapman (Chairman of Human Resources and Member for
Performance Review)
R. Price (Liberal Democrat Member)
D. Simpson (Liberal Democrat Member)
P. Marsh-Jenks (Southampton) (Labour Member Spokesperson)
Vacancy (Chairman of Asset Management Working Group of Finance and General Purposes - to be agreed by Finance and General Purposes at their next meeting).
(e) That Councillor R. Price be appointed to serve on the Local Authority Controlled Company in relation to the governance and management of the Regional Control Centre.
(f) That the Governance Committee be asked to review, and make recommendations to the Authority upon the Authority's current Committee structure and decision making arrangements, to ensure that these remain efficient and fit for purpose in addressing future challenges facing the Authority.
11 SOUTH EAST FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE REGIONAL MANAGEMENT BOARD - UPDATE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Authority (Item 11 in the Minute Book) highlighting some of the key issues discussed at the South-East Fire and Rescue Service Regional Management Board meeting held on 1 April, 2009.
12 FIRE CONTROL AND FIRELINK PROJECTS - UPDATE
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on progress in relation to the two national projects, "Fire Control" and "Firelink".
13 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2008/09
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the Annual Governance Statement 2008/09 for inclusion in the Annual Statement of Accounts for 2008/09.
RESOLVED:
That the Authority approves the Annual Governance Statement 2008/09 for inclusion in the Annual Statement of Accounts for 2008/09.
14 FINAL ACCOUNTS
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Chief Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the accounts for 2008/09. It was reported that the figure of - £554,000 in paragraph 6.7 of the report should be amended to read - £514,000 and the total to - £687,000 instead of - £727,000.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the accounts for 2008/09 be approved; incorporating a reduced contribution of £168,000 (£173,000 less than planned for the revised budget) to the improvement and sustainability reserve, a contribution of £300,000 to the equal pay reserve and a contribution of £750,000 to the capital payments reserve.
(b) That capital payments for the year be financed as set out in paragraph 3.13 of the report.
(c) That the Treasury management activities, as set out in paragraph 4 and prudential indicators in appendix 3, be approved.
15 DRAFT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2008/09
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the Statement of Account for 2008/09. Members raised several questions in connection with assets and pensions and these were answered by the Treasurer.
RESOLVED:
That the Statement of Accounts for 2008/09 be approved.
16 ANNUAL INTERNAL AUDIT OPINION 2008/09
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer (Item 16 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the internal audit assurance statement for 2008/09.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Authority accept the internal audit assurance statement for 2008/09.
(b) That the main risks identified during the year be noted.
17 CODE OF PRACTICE RELATING TO CONTRACTS
The Authority received and noted the report of the Chief Officer (Item 17 in the Minute Book) on contracts proposed to be let and details of contracts awarded last year.
18 NEW WINCHESTER FIRE STATION : DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS AT THE FORMER VEHICLE WORKSHOPS SITE, WINNALL, WINCHESTER
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 18 in the Minute Book) about the proposed demolition of buildings at the former Vehicle Workshops Site, Winnall, Winchester.
RESOLVED:
That the Authority approves the demolition of some of the former vehicle workshops buildings at Winnall, Winchester in preparation for the construction of the new Winchester Fire Station on the site.
19 IMPROVEMENT PLANNING REGISTER
The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 19 in the Minute Book) giving an update on the 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 those strategies and actions that have been completed be discharged from the Register.
(c) That the strategies and actions identified for further improvement be accepted onto the Register.
20 FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITIES MUTUAL LIMITED (FRAML) UPDATE
The Authority considered the report of the Treasurer and Clerk (Item 20 in the Minute Book) on the present position with regard to the Fire and Rescue Authority Mutual Limited.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Authority notes, as a consequence of the Court of Appeal's judgement in respect of R. (Risk Management Partners) v Brent LBC and others, the Fire and Rescue Authority Mutual Limited (FRAML) will probably be wound up as a fully authorised and capitalised insurance entity.
(b) That, on behalf of the Authority, the Chairman writes to the Secretary of State of Communities and Local Government urging him to put in place, as soon as practically possible, legal powers that will enable local authorities to participate in the operation of an insurance mutual.
21 MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - 27 FEBRUARY, 2009
The Authority received the Minutes of the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 27 February, 2009 and adopted the recommendations in relation to the charging mechanism for lift incidents (Item 21 in the Minute Book).
22 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - 25 MARCH, 2009
The Authority received the Minutes of the Governance Committee meeting held on 25 March, 2009 and adopted the recommendation in relation to approval in principle to a special responsibility allowance for £2,000 per annum being paid to the Authority's Board Director on the South-East Fire and Rescue Control Centre Limited (Item 22 in the Minute Book).
23 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 30 APRIL, 2009
The Authority received the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 30 April, 2009 and adopted the recommendation in relation to making a commitment to adopt the action plan so as to achieve Level 4 of the Equality Standards for Local Government. (Item 23 in the Minute Book).
24 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, as it was 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 this item, there would be disclosable to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part I 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.
25 DISPOSAL OF FORMER COPNOR FIRE STATION, PORTSMOUTH
The Authority considered and approved the confidential report of the Chief Officer (Item 25 in the Minute Book) about the proposed disposal of the former Copnor Fire Station site at Portsmouth.
[SUMMARY OF EXEMPT MINUTE]
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THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS EXEMPT AND THE PRESS AND PUBLIC WERE NOT ENTITLED TO BE PRESENT
25 DISPOSAL OF FORMER COPNOR FIRE STATION
The Authority considered the exempt report of the Chief Officer (Item 25 in the Minute Book) about the proposed disposal of the former Copnor Fire Station site.
RESOLVED:
That the Chief Officer be given delegated authority to accept the conditional offer submitted by Ravenswood Development Limited on behalf of Guinness Hermitage Housing Association Limited, for the freehold of the former Copnor Fire Station site, Copnor Road, Portsmouth as soon as al detailed matters have been clarified and resolved.
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