Agenda and minutes

The Chairman announced that the meeting was being recorded for broadcast on the Authority’s website and would be available for repeated viewing.  The press and members of the public were also permitted to film and broadcast this meeting.  Those remaining at the meeting were consenting to being filmed and recorded, and to the possible use of those images and recording for broadcasting purposes.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Glen, Moore and McIntosh.

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 that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 8 December 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

No deputations requests were received for the meeting.

To receive any Members’ questions and any verbal reports back on attendance(s) at fire and rescue service conferences, seminars and other training awareness activities.

Councillor Bennison updated the Authority on a recent incident at Fleet Services.

Councillor Frankum reported on a recent visit she had made to Basingstoke fire station. 

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman had no announcements on this occasion.

To receive an activity report of the Chief Officer covering the period 1 October 2016 to 31 December 2016.

The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer, Item 7 in the Minute Book, regarding activity in the period 1 October 2016 to 31 December 2016.

Member queries relating to individual incidents and to the report in general were responded to.

RESOLVED:

The Authority noted the report.

To receive a report of the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Officer regarding the budget and precept requirement for 2017/18.

The Authority received the report of the Chief Fire Officer and the Chief Financial Officer regarding the budget and precept requirement for 2017/18, item 8 in the Minute Book.

The Chief Financial Officer introduced the report, highlighting the key issues and recommendations to the Authority with regards to the precept. It was noted that the final local government financial settlement had now been received.

The Authority considered the recommendations and it was:

RESOLVED:

a.         That if any subsequent minor technical changes are required to the budget, the Chief Financial Officer in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer and the Chairman of the Authority is given delegated authority to reflect the actual position in the budget.

b.         That the revenue budget for 2017/18 as set out at Appendix A is approved.

c.         That the capital programme for 2017/18 as set out in appendix E and the funding of this as set out in appendix F be approved.

d.         That the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2017/18 (and the remainder of 2016/17) as set out in Appendix G is approved, including:

•           Prudential Indicators for 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20 – Annex C

•           Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement – Annex D

And that authority is delegated to the Treasurer to manage the Fire & Rescue Authority’s investments according to the risk assessment process in the Investment Strategy as appropriate.

e.         That the budget requirement for the general expenses of the Authority for the year beginning 1st April 2017 be £64,075,000.

f.          That the council tax requirement for the Authority for the year beginning 1st April 2017 be £39,483,585.09.

g.         That the Authority’s council tax be increased by 1.98% for the year beginning 1st April 2017 and for the properties in each band to be:

Band A:          £42.56                                                Band E:          £78.03

Band B:          £49.65                                                Band F:          £92.21

Band C:         £56.75                                                Band G:         £106.40

Band D:         £63.84                                                Band H:         £127.68

That the precepts, as set out below, totalling £39,483,585.09 are issued on the billing authorities in Hampshire, requiring the payment in such instalments and on such dates set by them and previously notified to the Authority, in proportion to the tax base of each billing authority’s area as determined by them.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council                       4,045,981.30          

East Hampshire District Council                                         3,121,826.43

Eastleigh Borough Council                                                 2,816,514.83          

Fareham Borough Council                                                              2,705,002.94

Gosport Borough Council                                                    1,685,995.25          

Hart District Council                                                              2,518,119.64          

Havant Borough Council                                                     2,549,578.08          

New Forest District Council                                                 4,478,707.97          

Portsmouth City Council                                                      3,532,260.82

Rushmoor Borough Council                                               1,942,283.48          

Southampton City Council                                                              4,015,536.00

Test Valley Borough Council                                              3,020,589.60          

Winchester City Council                                                      3,051,188.75          

Total                                                                                       39,483,585.09  

h.         That in accordance with the set of principles set by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for the year, it is determined that the relevant basic amount of council tax for 2017/18 is not excessive.

To receive a presentation on Blue Light Collaboration in Hampshire.

The Authority received a presentation regarding Blue Light collaboration, item 9 in the Minute Book.

It was heard that Blue Light collaboration was at an advanced stage in Hampshire with respective areas of skills and expertise being used, a focus on mutual understanding and sustainable long-term outcomes.

Particular structures and areas of joint working were identified in particular around providing support for vulnerable people. It was noted that as well as working together and encouraging contact with other services at a people level, there were opportunities to share specialist equipment and resources.

Members welcomed the presentation and the direction of travel. Some concern was expressed that service specialism may be lost or watered down and it was clarified that the emphasis was on utilising specialisms more widely.

RESOLVED:

That the Authority note the contents of the presentation and support the direction of travel.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer to consider the addition of the Isle of Wight Fire Authority to the existing Combined Fire Authority (CFA) arrangements for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.

The Authority received the report of the Chief Fire Officer regarding the possible addition of the Isle of Wight Fire Authority to the existing Combined Fire Authority (CFA) arrangements for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, item 10 in the Minute Book.

The context of the new Policing and Crime Act and the duty to collaborate placed on Fire Authorities was set out. It was noted that there had been a strategic partnership between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for the past two years, resulting in a service level alignment. Members heard that the Isle of Wight Council were due to consider similar proposals to explore possibilities for greater integration and it was confirmed that no outcomes of this were foreseen.

Suggesting that HFRA should await the view of the Isle of Wight Council, it was proposed by Councillor Winnington and seconded by Councillor Simpson that the decision be deferred until the next meeting of the Authority. A vote was held and with 8 for and 13 against, the proposal was lost.

The recommendations were considered and it was proposed by Councillor Price and seconded by Councillor Harrison that the word “create” in paragraph 2.2 be replaced with “investigate”. The amendment was agreed and it was

RESOLVED:

a.         That HFRA acknowledge the new duty to be placed upon the Fire Services to collaborate with blue light partners as legislated through the Policing and Crime Act 2017.

b.         That HFRA agree to, and subject to the Isle of Wight Council also agreeing, give the Chief Officer the authority to investigate a business case for the Fire Authority’s consideration and to present back to the Authority in December 2017 for further decision.

To receive the Minutes and supporting report of the Performance Review and

Scrutiny Committee held on the 24 January 2017.

The Authority received and noted the Minutes of the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee held on the 24 January 2017.

To receive the Minutes and supporting report of the Human Resources Committee held on the 26 January 2017.

The Authority received and noted the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 26 January 2017.

The recommendation to the Authority at Minute 165 was agreed.

To receive the Minutes and supporting report of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on the 1 February 2017.

The Authority received and noted the Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 1 February 2017.

It was noted that the recommendations to the Authority at Minute 183 had been agreed under the Budget item.

The recommendation to the Authority at Minute 185 was agreed.