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 30 July 2009

PRESENT:

Councillors: I.F.E. Beagley (Chairman); A. Carew; C. Carter; A. Evans; L. Fairhurst; F. Pearce; R. Price; D. Simpson; R. Smith; A. Weeks

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    There were no apologies for absence received.

2 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.

3 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

4 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made to this meeting.

5 APPOINTMENTS TO ASSET MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP

    The Committee considered the report of the Clerk (Item 5 in the Minute Book) seeking approval for the appointment of Members to the Asset Management Working Group. Officers explained that this was an informal group of Members that met as and when there were important and complex issues that merited detailed consideration. Issues requiring formal decisions are presented to the Committee. Officers took the opportunity to update Members orally on current property issues.

    RESOLVED:

    That Councillors Carter, Evans, Price and Simpson be appointed to the Asset Management Working Group and that Councillor Evans be appointed Chairman.

6 BUDGET MONITORING: 1ST QUARTER 2009/10

    The Committee considered the report of the Treasurer and the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out the latest budget position. There were two main issues affecting the budget; an unexpected pension transfer payment and the additional pressure of increased spending on retained firefighters and the upgrading of information and communications technology.(ICT). The report set out proposed actions to deal with these issues within the 2009/10 budget. Members were pleased in that context to note that the recent settlement of the firefighters pay award at 1.25% generates significant offsetting reduction in projected spending compared with the position as at the time papers were prepared.

    Members were concerned about the risk of any further unexpected pension transfers not met by the Pension Fund Account, both because the amounts could be significant and as they were so difficult to plan for. Officers told Members that they had informally taken up the issue with the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) and were hopeful the CLG would be sympathetic to the situation and agree to consider meeting this cost.

    Members discussed the report, and were also hopeful that some additional ICT costs caused by the delay to the Regional Control Centre could be recharged to the government.

    RESOLVED:

    That:

    (i) The unexpected pension transfer payment of £450,000 be met from the general reserve in the first instance; and that the Treasurer be asked to raise this as an issue with the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) on the grounds that it does not fit logically with the Government's model for meeting local pension deficits from central funds.

    (ii) The Chief Officer takes action as set out in the report to ensure that, with the potential exception of the cost of the pension transfer sum, a balanced budget position is achieved.

    (iii) The Chairman, in conjunction with the Chief Officer and Treasurer, authorises further phases of IT development to take place as and when offsetting funding can be identified within the overall cash limit for 2009/10.

    (iv) The virements over £100,000 listed at appendix A be approved.