Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Roger Price. Donna Jones, the Police & Crime Commissioner, also sent apologies for the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Karen Lucioni to the meeting as the new Member from the Isle of Wight and thanked Councillor Ian Stephens for his work on the Combined Fire Authority.

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 5 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 approve the minutes from the Full Authority meeting that took place on 14 June 2022.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

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

The Authority received a deputation from Jenna Shergold, who addressed the Committee about Queens Platinum Jubilee medals not being awarded to the Fire Control Room at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman confirmed the passing away of Crew Manager Adrian Johnson after a short illness. The Chief Fire Officer shared how the funeral was well attended and thoughts were with the friends, family and colleagues.

I further announcements, it was confirmed that on Thursday 30 June, the newest group of 17 recruits completed their training to become Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Firefighters. The HMICFRS Inspection field work had also been completed, which was a great opportunity to understand what more could be done to improve the Service for communities and staff and also a means to share what had been proudly achieved.

The Fire Authority was also updated on recent incidents attended to by the Service and the Oregon exchange programme.

To receive any updates from Members of the Combined Fire Authority.

Members shared the following updates:

-       Councillor Zoe Huggins had attended the Southsea Passing Out Parade and would be attending the Redbridge Passing Out Parade;

-       Councillor Gary Hughes also attended the Southsea Parade and welcomed the diversity of graduates;

-       Councillor Tony Bunday had attended the Hightown Fire Station on the 13 July and sought views on the White Paper as well as attending the Passing Out Parade;

-       Councillor Cal Corkery reflected on the deputation that had been made and welcomed further investigation by the Fire Authority. He also anticipated getting involved in mitigating climate change in his champion role at the Authority.

To consider a report from the Monitoring Officer regarding an update to HIWFRA Appointments.

The Authoriity received a report from the Monitoring Officer (item 7 in the minute book) regarding minor changes to appointments at the Fire Authority.

Following the change in Member representing the Isle of Wight Council, it was necessary to confirm the appointment of Councillor Karen Lucioni on sub-committees.

RESOLVED

a. The Authority noted the updated political composition of the Authority as attached in Appendix 1 and that the proportional allocation of seats on the Authority’s committees remained as agreed at the Authority’s Annual Meeting on 14 June 2022.

b. Councillor Karen Lucioni was appointed in place of Councillor Ian Stephens as the Liberal Democrat and Independent deputy on Standards & Governance Committee.

c. Councillor Karen Lucioni was appointed in place of Councillor Ian Stephens as the Liberal Democrat and Independent deputy on the 3SFire CIC Stakeholder Committee.

d. All other appointments remain as agreed at the Authority’s Annual General Meeting on 14 June 2022.

To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which seeks approval for the Asset Management Policy.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 8 in the minute book), which asked the Authority to approve the Asset Management Policy.

The policy was structured around the principles and practices and was continuously assessed to ensure assets were managed correctly to enable longevity of usage, safe operation and efficient financial management.

During questions, it was confirmed that PPE replacement was included as part of the asset management and social policies such as the Slavery Policy were also encompassed.

RESOLVED

The Asset Management Policy was approved by the HIWFRA Full

Authority.

To receive a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which summarises property related matters where action has already been taken under delegated authority in accordance with the Authority’s Scheme of Delegation.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 9 in the minute book) regarding property related matters where action has already

been taken under delegated authority.

It was confirmed that additional space at Hardley Fire Station had been allocated to Hampshire Constabulary. Work on Cosham continued as part of a separate investment although there had been some delays due to discussions regarding the current site.

RESOLVED

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

To consider a report from the Chief Financial Officer, which provides a summary of the 2021/22 revenue outturn position for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service for the 2021/22 financial year.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 10 in the minute book), which provided a summary of the 2021/22 revenue outturn position for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service for the 2021/22 financial year.

Members were pleased to learn of the Authorities strong performance in a very challenging economic environment. Despite inflation and supply chain concerns, officers remained optimistic that projects could be delivered. Vacancies had also been managed to ensure resilience and were being looked at more holistically. It was also confirmed that as the Service continued to recruit a more diverse workforce, the need for change and modernisation of facilities was crucial for staff wellbeing.

RESOLVED

a. The outturn position for 2021/22 (including Appendix A) and the

use of reserves set out in paragraph 39 and appendix C of the report were

approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority;

b. The carry forward requests totalling £616,000 as set out in paragraph 16 of the report were approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority;

c. The contribution of £550,000 from the Operations Directorate budget

to the Transformation Reserve, was agreed to be ringfenced for improvements as set out in paragraphs 12 – 15;

d. The transfer of budgets from non-pay to pay to cover the post of

Director of People and Organisational Development and two additional

posts within the ICT team were approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority;

e. The capital outturn position in 2021/22 and the capital spend profile

going forwards including the additional funding for the sprinkler project set

out in appendix B were approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority;

f. The increase in funding of £1m for the Live Fire project was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority;

g. The financing for capital payments set out in paragraph 24 was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority;

h. The revised cost cap envelope for temporary promotions set out in

paragraph 55 was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority;

i. The annual Treasury outturn report set out in appendix D of the report 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.

There was no requirement to go into exempt session and so the press and public were not excluded from the meeting.

An exempt appendix to support Item 10 on the agenda.

The exempt appendix was considered as part of item 10 on the agenda without being directly referenced, and therefore there was no requirement to go into exempt session.