Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

All Councillors were present, but apologies were received from Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

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 to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest was not already entered in the Authority’s register of interests, along with any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members wished to disclose.

To approve the open minutes from the Full Authority meeting that took place on 24 June 2024.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

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

There were no deputations for the meeting.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman confirmed the sad passing of former Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority Member, Michael Cartwright and sent condolences to family and friends on behalf of the Full Authority.

To receive any updates from Members of the Authority.

Members provided the following updates:

-    Councillor Fran Carpenter had attended the Ringwood cadets graduation ceremony on the 12 July.

-    Councillor Sally Goodfellow had attended the Sandown Fire Station Passing Out Parade on a visit to the Isle of Wight and also attended Ryde and Newport Fire Stations.

-     Councillor Stephen Parker had attended a Passing Out parade in Gosport.

-     Councillor Karen Lucioni thanked staff at East Cowes who had assisted with a recent incident.

-     Councillor Derek Mellor had attended a cadet graduation at Rushmoor and visited the Tadley Fire Station open day.

-     Councillor Zoe Huggins had attended Passing Out parade in Gosport and planned to attend another upcoming parade in Southampton on the 2 August. Councillor Huggins also confirmed that the first Prince’s Trust event at Waterlooville was scheduled for the 25 July 2024.

-     Councillor David Harrison shared that he planned to attend the LGA Fire Leadership course in Warwick in the autumn.

The Chairman confirmed that following a review of the Member Champion roles, Members were invited to provide an update on work undertaken as part of their role at the next Full Authority meeting.

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which seeks approval of the Authority’s Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority (HIWFRA) Modern Slavery statement for subsequent publishing on the Authority’s website and the Government’s Registry.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 7 in the minute book) regarding the Slavery and Human Trafficking statement that was required to be published on an annual basis.

Following a summary of the report, it was confirmed that 3SFire CIC would be expected to have a separate submission rather than be included as part of the Fire Authority’s publication.

It was highlighted that assurance was provided on pages 20 and 22 of the pack with regards to supplier contracts, the conditions of which varied depending on the contract. The Authority rarely learned of outcomes of reports made and so was not able to confirm how many had been successful, but those that had been identified would be included in the 2025 report.

It was also confirmed that any changes or updates to the Statement would be shown in the 2025 report to the Authority.

RESOLVED

The Modern Slavery Statement at Appendix A was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority for publication on the Service’s website.

To receive a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which summarises property related matters where action has already been taken under delegated authority.

The Authority received a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 8 in the minute book), which summarised property related matters where action had already been taken under delegated authority.

It was confirmed that asset values were regularly reviewed, and Members requested that future reports include when contracts started and how far through the contract term the Authority was. It was confirmed this would be done where the information was available going forward.

Whilst the Blue Lamp Trust had representation of both the Fire Service and Fre Authority by the Chief Fire Officer, future Member involvement would be looked into and how this would work to benefit both Members and the Trust.

RESOLVED

The items set out in the report were noted by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which outlines HIWFRS’ commitment to diversity, equality and equity, emphasising the importance of creating an inclusive culture.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 9 in the minute book) outlining HIWFRS’ commitment to diversity, equality and equity, emphasising the importance of creating an inclusive culture and tracking progress against the four equality objectives, focusing on promoting inclusivity and supporting wellbeing.

Members were pleased to learn that support was increasing for staff that were neurodiverse and that assessments offered had been successful in offering diagnoses. It was suggested that an action be added around attracting a more neurodiverse workforce and officers agreed to look into this going forward.

Whilst it was acknowledged that work was continuing to make the Service more representative of those living in Hampshire, the Authority welcomed the Service being proactive in visiting and working with different communities to share the career opportunities.

Members debated the categories stated within the Statement and it was confirmed that those used had been supported by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion network groups and were reflective of government language used.

RESOLVED

The Annual Statement of Equality and updated equality information was approved by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority for publication on the website.

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which seeks Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority (HIWFRA) approval of three HIWFRA Policies for Prevention, Protection, and Response.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 10 in the minute book) which sought approval of three HIWFRA Policies for Prevention, Protection, and Response.

Following a summary of the report and appendices, several amendments were put forward and unanimously supported by the Fire Authority as follows:

1.    Page 101 – Appendix B1 (Position Statement for Fire Safety)
Section 2 heading to be corrected from ‘Authoritv’s Position’ to ‘Authority’s Position’

2.    Page 101 – Appendix B1 (Position Statement for Fire Safety)
Change the word ‘reasonable’ to responsible’ to strengthen the language.

3.    Page 105 – Appendix B2 (Position Statement for Sprinklers)
Under ‘Sprinklers in Schools’, the last sentence is to be removed (from “Any exceptions…” onwards).

4.    Page 106 – Appendix B2 (Position Statement for Sprinklers)
The sentence ‘The risks to firefighters in large commercial buildings are substantial, due to the size and potential for rapid collapse of the building’ to be added to the ‘Sprinklers in High-Rise Buildings’ section as well as the ‘Sprinklers in Commercial Buildings’ section.

5.    Page 107 – Appendix B2 (Position Statement for Sprinklers)
Under ‘Sprinklers in Domestic Premises’, it should be recommended that sprinklers are installed in new build housing for vulnerable people going forwards. It was also suggested that the penultimate paragraph be updated to read ‘We will recommend that sprinklers should be installed in the homes of those residents who are most vulnerable from a fire or have adapted housing and recommend a review and more work to seek the integration of sprinkler systems in new builds.’

With regards to the charging of e-scooters and e-bikes in homes, Trading Standards were working on issuing advice around unsafe leads and chargers being sold, which were a major cause in faults and fires.

RESOLVED

1.         The Prevention Policy (Appendix A) was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority for inclusion into the Authority’s Policy Framework.

2.         That the Protection Policy (Appendix B) was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority for inclusion into the Authority’s Policy Framework, along with the five amendments agreed as listed above.

3.         The Response Policy (Appendix C) was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority for inclusion into the Authority’s Policy Framework.

4.         The Protection Policy Position Statement for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) (Appendix B4), was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority for inclusion as part of the Authority’s Policy Framework.

5.         The remaining Position Statements (Appendix B1, B2, B3, C1 and C2), that the Authority had previously approved, were noted by the HIWFRA Full Authority for inclusion as part of the Authority’s Policy Framework.

To consider a report that seeks approval for appointments to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Authority Firefighters’ Pension Board.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Financial Officer (item 11 in the minute book), which sought approval for appointments to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Authority Firefighters’ Pension Board.

Members were happy with the proposals and there were no questions.

RESOLVED

1.    The Authority considered the position in paragraph 6(a), and the appointment of Ant Westbrook as a Scheme Member Representative to the HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

2.    The Authority considered the position in paragraph (6b), and the appointment of Rob Sansome as an Employer Representative to the HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business, 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 during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to 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 reports.

It was agreed that the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items 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 these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the reports.

To consider an exempt report regarding East Cowes.

The Authority considered an exempt report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 13 the minute book) regarding East Cowes. SEE EXEMPT MINUTE