Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Geoff Hockley.

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.

Under matters arising, it was confirmed that an informal joint working group was being established with the Isle of Wight to help steer officers with the Combined Fire Authority arrangements. All Hampshire Fire and Rescue Members had been invited to be part of the group, along with the Isle of Wight Cabinet Member.

The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that following the appointment of Steve Apter as Deputy Chief Fire Officer, it had been arranged that he would start working at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service on the 14 April to commence the handover process with Deputy Chief Fire Officer Andy Bowers.

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.

In Chairman’s Announcements, the Chairman spoke about the great success of the ‘Have A Go’ recruitment campaign and thanked staff for their help in getting these days set up. Thanks were also given to all the staff that had helped get the new facilities up and running, which would future proof Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Constabulary and provide increased opportunity to strengthen collaborative working.

Praise was also given to the fire fighters, staff and other services who had worked with such a focus, determination and professionalism on the Ocado distribution centre fire in Andover. The Chief Fire Officer echoed the Chairman’s sentiments and acknowledged the unprecedented hazards that had been faced. The sudden growth of the fire and hazards presented were being investigated in a post incident review so the knowledge gained from the incident could be shared with other Services.

To receive any updates from Members of the Authority

Councillor Vaughan had attended a performance management meeting and there was another scheduled for April.

Councillor Price informed the Authority of a LGA conference for Fire and Rescue Authorities, which was due to take place on the 26 and 27 February. Members were welcome to attend, but it was appreciated that it was short notice and it acknowledged that it would be helpful going forward if more warning could be given to attendees by the LGA on such events.

Councillor Glen thanked fire fighters who had attended and promptly dealt with a recent house fire near Hook.

Councillor Simpson announced that Hartley Wintney Parish Council were soon to be having a private celebratory evening to recognise and share appreciation for on-call fire fighters.

To consider a report from the Treasurer, which sets out details of the precept increase, showing the level of precept and increase for each Council Tax band and details the 2018/19 revised budget and the 2019/20 forward budget.

The Authority considered a report from the Treasurer (item 7 in the minute book) regarding the budget and precept for 2019/20.

The report was summarised and several points were highlighted:

·         The table in paragraph 13 showed the budget monitoring for 2018/19 as at 31 December 2018. Employee costs had been less than expected, partly due to ongoing vacancies.

·         A small impact in Council tax was shown in the table in paragraph 16

·         Changes to the medium term financial position (MTFP) were highlighted in paragraph 37 and it was confirmed that £1,224,100 had been moved to the Transformation Reserve.

·         The reserves were referenced in paragraph 44 and also detailed in Appendix B of the report. It was confirmed that the appendix had been updated following publication and that this had been uploaded alongside the agenda pack.

With approval by the Chairman of the Authority, it was confirmed that an additional recommendation would be added to the item as a result of the Ocado fire incident. An additional Appendix (I) had also been provided to Members, which highlighted the need for an in-depth review of the incident and how it could be prevented in future following a lot of high level interest. The dedication and focus required for the review meant that new posts were needed in order for the Service to continue running smoothly on a day-to-day basis and it was not a project that could be absorbed by staff in their current roles. The review was anticipated to take around six months to complete.

Members were in full support of the proposals and appreciated the importance of the review.

During questions from Members, it was confirmed that the £4,000,000 gap anticipated in paragraph 17 of the report was now closer to £3,400,000 but will likely decrease. The allocation of funds stated in Appendix C of the report will be detailed in a report to the Full Authority later in the year. It was agreed that there was inconsistency with phraseology with ‘retained fire fighters’ and ‘on-call fire fighters’ and whilst they were the same thing discussions would be had with staff to agree on one title going forward to minimise confusion.

RESOLVED:

1.         The revenue budget as set out in Appendix A was approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

2.         The Capital Programme as set out in Appendix C and the funding of this as set out in Appendix D was approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

3.         It was agreed that a total of £1,474,100 would be transferred to the Transformation Reserve in 2019/20.

4.         Funding of up to £800,000 for the new Combined Fire Authority implementation was approved from the Transformation Reserve.

5.         The Treasury Management Strategy Statement including the Investment Strategy (Appendix F), and the Capital and Investment Strategy (Appendix G) for 2019/20, (and the remainder of 2018/19) were approved.

6.         It was agreed that a target level for high yield investments of £7m is set for the Authority.

7.         Authority was delegated to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which asks Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority to declare its’ position regarding marine incidents.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 8 in the minute book) which asks Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority to consider marine incident and declare its’ position.

The Service had a statutory duty to respond to fires in vessels moored alongside under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, however there was no statutory obligation to respond to fires on vessels at sea as this duty did not apply below the mean low water mark.

In paragraph 22 of the report it stated that there were nominated stations close to the coast that had enhanced training to respond to fires alongside to improve the capability of the Service. It was agreed that a list of these stations would be circulated to Members for information.

There were currently 38 officers trained as part of a Maritime Response Team (MRT) and this was felt to be an adequate number. Any costs incurred as a result of responding to an incident at sea could be pursued from central government but there was no guarantee that these would always be honoured if it was a non statutory duty.  

RESOLVED:

1.         Options b, c and d were approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, specifically that:

b)  HFRS will continue to provide a capability for incidents within the Solent area.  This will use the enhanced skills of stations and respond to the main life risk elements.

c)  HFRS provides the capability of responding to vessels on route to a Hampshire Port.  It was likely that any vessel leaving a Hampshire Port will also return.  This would provide HFRS an enhanced capability once alongside.

d)  HFRS will maintain a nationally declared capability that can be deployed outside of the area.  This option would only be possible on the authorisation of the Brigade Manager and following an in-depth risk assessment.

2.         Maintenance of the appropriate resources to facilitate the approved capability was approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

3.         It was approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, that procedures formed to deploy outside of HFRA’s statutory duty, be delegated to the Chief Fire Officer.

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer regarding a policy position for HFRA to fulfil its duty for fire safety information and advice.

Councillor Chris Carter and Councillor Roger Price declared personal interests as Directors on 3SFire.

The Authority considered a report of the Chief Fire Officer (item 9 in the minute book), regarding a policy position for HFRA to fulfil its duty for fire safety information and advice.

The Authority were asked to consider to what extent the Fire Service provides a free of charge service, and which elements were those that should be charged a fee for. The two options to consider were in paragraph 32 of the report.

It was confirmed that student accommodation was classed as commercial premises, but there were liaisons that Fire communicated with closely.

RESOLVED:

1. That specific and targeted advice to those most vulnerable in their home is approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, as what is reasonable to provide within the scope of its’ duty, for domestic dwellings, under The Fire and Rescue Act 2004, Section 6.

2. That Option (a), below (and in paragraph 32 of the report), is approved by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, as what is reasonable to provide within the scope of its’ duty, for non-domestic premises, under the Fire and Rescue Act 2004, Section 6:

(a)          HFRA provide information and give advice on request with regards fire safety and means of escape in the form of:

·         Web-based information and link to HM Government documentation;

·         Focussed workshops;

·         Telephone advice;

·         Through campaigns.

To receive a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which updates the Full Authority on the progress of collaboration for which HFRS are a key part of in Hampshire.

The Authority received a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 10 in the minute book), which provided Members with an update on the progress of collaboration of which Hampshire Fire and Rescue are a key part of in Hampshire.

The collaboration enabled services to work together for better outcomes and be more resilient. In paragraph 11(b) Members noted that the Co-Responder partnership accounted for 40% of all Co-Responder calls across the UK, which was a big achievement.

RESOLVED

The Hampshire Blue Light Collaboration Programme was noted by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, as delivering better services to the people of Hampshire.

To receive the minutes of the Appointment Committee, which took place on 23 January.

The Minutes of the Appointment Committee were noted by the Authority.

To receive the minutes of the Standard and Governance Committee meeting, which took place on the 31 January.

The minutes of the Standards and Governance Committee were noted by the Authority.

Councillor Liz Fairhurst also informed Members of an extraordinary meeting regarding the HMI report due to take place on the 27 February. All Full Authority Members were welcome to attend.