Archived decisions

    AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on 24 September, 2009

PRESENT:

Councillors: R. McIntosh (Chairman); L. Fairhurst; D. Fuller; P. Galton; D.A. Kirk;

R. Smith.

Also in attendance were Kate Handy and Graham West from the Audit Commission.

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P. Marsh-Jenks and Mrs. M. Tucker.

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 of the Committee held on 25 March, 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

4. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to the meeting.

5. PROGRESS OF IMPLEMENTING AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS ARISING FROM INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on audit action items and on progress made towards the implementation of recommendations for improvement.

In discussion, the Committee felt that whilst recognising it may be necessary to extend an agreed action date, this should be regarded as exceptional. In such cases, they would expect the appropriate senior officer to attend and explain this to the Committee. Members also agreed that they should approve rather than note or endorse the reports presented to them.

Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Committee approves the audit action reports, and progress made towards the implementation of recommendations for improvement.

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) about the health and safety activity within the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the actions being taken to ensure continuous improvement.

Members proposed to approve rather than note or endorse the recommendations within the report. They were advised that their next year's annual report would include an action plan on the progress made in relation to those recommendations identified by the Health and Safety Executive following their recent inspection of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

RESOLVED:

    (a) That the Committee approve the Service's Health and Safety Annual Report for the year 2008/09.

    (b) That the Committee approve the reporting format and template as being suitable for their purposes in ensuring adequate health and safety arrangements within Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

    (c) That the Committee approve the ongoing review and refresh of Health and Safety arrangements that have taken place.

7. HFRA - ANNUAL GOVERNANCE REPORT - AUDIT 2008/09

The Committee considered the Audit Commission's draft Annual Governance report (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on behalf of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority. In particular, it asked Members to:

    (a) Consider the matters raised before approving the financial statements.

    (b) Agree to adjust the errors in the financial statements identified.

    (c) Approve the letter of representation on behalf of the Fire Authority.

    Kate Handy, District Auditor introduced the report and highlighted the matters raised and messages contained therein. Members attention was drawn to the one unadjusted misstatement in the accounts relating to treatment of the Fire and Rescue Authority Mutual Limited (FRAML) (Appendix 2) and to the draft management letter of representation (Appendix 3). The Treasurer explained the reason for not correcting the mistatement in relation to FRAML which was set out in the Auditor's draft letter of representation and this was supported by the Committee. Accordingly, it was

    RESOLVED:

    That the Committee agree the Treasurer's accounting treatment of the FRAML and the management letter of representation and that the letter be signed and provided to the District Auditor on behalf of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

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