Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Roger Price

To enable Members to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest is not already entered in the Authority’s register of interests, and any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members may wish to disclose.

Members were mindful of their duty to disclose at the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they had in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest was not already entered in the Authority's register of interests, and their ability to disclose any other personal interests in any such matter that they might have wished to disclose.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed

Pursuant to Standing Order 19, to receive any deputations to this meeting

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman had several announcements, which can be found appended to these minutes. The Authority also received a letter from Michael Lane, the Police and Crime Commissioner, which can be found along with the Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any updates from Members of the Authority

Members thanked those at Tadley and Redbridge Fire Stations for hosting their visits, and it was agreed that employers of retained Fire Fighters should be thanked for their support of the Fire Service. A marketing campaign was being looked at in-house and Members would be updated on developments.

To consider a report from the Treasurer regarding the budget and precept requirements for 2018/19.

The Authority considered a report from the Treasurer regarding the budget and precept requirement for 2018/19.

An addendum was circulated, which updated some of the figures in the report and recommendations, and this was agreed by the Authority. The Treasurer went through the report and highlighted the favourable position of the Authority. The addendum was confirmed as follows:

Changes in the Budget

Paragraph 39 of the main report outlines the key changes to the forecast position as outlined in the latest Medium Term Financial Plan, which has been updated to reflect changes in Business Rate collection Fund figures as follows:

Council Tax

There are no changes to the proposed council tax increase of 2.98% which would increase HFRA’s Band D council tax to £65.74 for 2018/19, an increase of £1.90 from the previous year.

Precept

The table overleaf shows the precept funding due from each precepting authority for the year 2018/19, following confirmation of the final council tax bases of East Hampshire District Council and Havant Borough Council.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council                       £4,212,948

East Hampshire District Council                                         £3,251,471

Eastleigh Borough Council                                                  £2,945,544

Fareham Borough Council                                                  £2,800,872

Gosport Borough Council                                                     £1,743,747

Hart District Council                                                               £2,655,396

Havant Borough Council                                                      £2,675,881

New Forest District Council                                                  £4,642,625

Portsmouth City Council                                                       £3,672,065

Rushmoor Borough Council                                                £2,036,059

Southampton City Council                                                   £4,230,040

Test Valley Borough Council                                               £3,160,713

Winchester City Council                                                       £3,181,152

Total                                                                                       £41,208,515

Business Rates

Following confirmation from Havant Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council, the budget for locally retained business rates has been confirmed at £7,037,344 and Section 31 Grant has been confirmed at £721,631.

Revenue Contribution to Capital

Following the adjustments to precept and business rates, the amount available to contribute to capital reserves in 2018/19 is £3.699m, which is £205,600 lower than the full requirement.  This is line with the strategy that any remaining budget gap would be closed by reducing the revenue contribution to capital.

The following addendum applied to the appendices supporting the report:

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which asks the Authority to approve the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Statement of Intent, attached to the report.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which presented the updated Health, Safety and Wellbeing Statement of Intent for 2018.

The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that there was a focus on providing and implementing a process of continual improvement to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.

RESOLVED:

The Full Authority approved the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Statement of Intent.

To receive a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which updates the Full Authority on Risk protection and Insurance Arrangements.

The Authority received a report from the Chief Fire Officer regarding the Authority’s Risk Protection and Insurance arrangements.

It was confirmed that the arrangements were sector led, with members risk pooling up to a certain amount. The premium had reduced slightly, with the overall operating surplus going back into the pool to provide a provision for any future liabilities.

Members queried whether the collisions with stationary objects as detailed in paragraph 11 was down to roads being too narrow.  It was stated that these events were down to various causes and not necessarily down to the road.

It was confirmed that future members would be checked through due diligence processes and would have to prove a degree of financial stability.

RESOLVED:

The update on Risk protection and Insurance Arrangements was noted by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer regarding a new scoring system proposed for the Strategic Risk Register and asks Members to approve the refreshed format.

The Authority received a report from the Chief Fire Officer regarding the Strategic Risk Register.

It was confirmed that a new methodology had been applied, focussing on seven strategic risks that covered the main core strategic areas. The matrix had been simplified, making identifying risks clearer.

RESOLVED:

A)   It was agreed that the proposed new scoring mechanism would used by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority;

The refreshed Strategic Risk Register was approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

The Minutes of the Standards and Governance Committee meeting on the 31 January were presented by Cllr Stubbs. There were no questions.

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting 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, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information), which should not be disclosed for the reasons set out in the reports.

The press and public were excluded from the meeting 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, there would be

disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of

Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information

relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person

(including the Authority holding that information), which should not be

disclosed for the reasons set out in the reports.

To consider an exempt report from the Chief Fire Officer regarding various property related matters.

The Authority considered an exempt report from the Chief Fire Officer regarding property matters. The primary focus was highlighted in paragraphs 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 of the report, which exceed the £25,000 limit in the scheme of delegation and require Member approval.  It was proposed and agreed that a review of the current delegated limit be reviewed by the Clerk to bring this into line with the overarching scheme of delegation and further improve the operational efficiency of the delivery of services.

RESOLVED:

A)   The surrender and renewal of a lease to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner of part of the fire station premises at Redbridge Fire Station was approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

B)   The granting of a new lease to Her Majesty’s Border Force of part of the fire station premises at Redbridge Fire Station was approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

C)   The actions outlined within 6.3 were noted.

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer regarding an enhanced voluntary redundancy scheme.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer regarding a proposed voluntary redundancy scheme, in a bid to avoid compulsory redundancies.

RESOLVED:

A)   The principles and methodology of the proposed Enhanced Voluntary Redundancy (EVR) Scheme was approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

B)   Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority agreed to delegate authority to decide when to activate the approved EVR Scheme to the Chief Fire Officer, in consultation with the Fire Authority Chairman, Chief Finance Officer and Director of HR.