Prior to the start of the meeting, information regarding general housekeeping was provided by the Chair to all in attendance.

The Chair confirmed to all present that the proceedings of the meeting would not be filmed on this occasion, as there were no members of the press or public in attendance.

Members are requested to consider the identification of:

a)  declarations of interest by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

b)  any additional items of business which the Chair has determined should be considered as matters of urgency; and

c)  items of business which may require the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

Members considered the identification of declarations of interest, any urgent additional items, and any business that may require the exclusion of the press and public.

Resolved that:

a)    The following declarations of interest were made by individual Members in relation to items of business on the Agenda:

·         Cllr Linda Maloney declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4 – “New St. Helens Fire Station – Additional Fourth Bay”, due to being appointed to the Planning Committee within St. Helens Council.

This was noted and Cllr Maloney was advised accordingly. 

b)  no additional items of business to be considered as matters of urgency were determined by the Chair; and

b)    The following item of business contained exempt information, by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

·         Appendix A to Agenda Item 5 – “The Supply of Eleven Type B Pumping Appliances”

Members were advised that should any discussion be required around the content of that Appendix, the press and public would need to be excluded prior to discussion, due to the possible disclosure of exempt information.

The Minutes of the Previous Meeting, held on 11^th April 2019, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the committee chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting, held on 11^th April 2019, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/048/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning scrutiny of performance against the objectives and the performance targets/ outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2019/20, for the period April to June 2019.

There will be a presentation in support of this item.

Members considered Report CFO/048/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning scrutiny of performance against the objectives and the performance targets/ outcomes, as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2019/20, for the period April to June 2019.

Members were provided with a presentation in support of this report by Jackie Sutton – Integrated Risk Management Planning Officer.

Members were informed that the report provides Members with an opportunity to scrutinise performance; and includes highlights from Functional Delivery Plan actions and high level, Summary Performance Indicators.

They were also informed that Functional Delivery Plans are produced by each function, with key actions incorporated into the Service Delivery Plan. They were advised that Functional Plan key deliverables also now include actions contained within the recently approved IRMP Supplement and HMICFRS Inspection Report.

It was highlighted to Members, that progress reporting within the report, follows a “RAG” system.  They were informed that although it is still early, some sub-actions of the key deliverables, have already been completed. For example, cross border risk information has been successfully shared with partners and is available on the Portal and Mobile Data Terminals (MDT’s); and the Positive Action Strategy is now fully implemented and resourced, to ensure diversity across Departments.

Members were advised that most actions are now underway (amber), however there are six sub-actions which have not yet been started, although it is intended that these commence this year.

With regards to the cumulative summary indicators, Members were informed that for Quarter 1, they are all green, with the exception of the total Special Services attended, which no longer has a target, as previously explained. It was re-iterated to Members that with regards to Special Services, we often have no way of influencing the number of calls, or indeed whether we would wish to reduce some of them, for example assisting partner agencies; and people locked in or out. Members were advised that for the Special Service calls that we can influence, such as RTC’s and Water Rescues, these have been made into individual LPI’s.

The presentation highlighted to Members that the total number of incidents attended, are significantly lower than in 2018/19, although June 2018 was the beginning of the spate conditions, which saw unprecedented numbers of calls and incidents for a 2 month period.

Members were informed however, that even when compared with the cumulative figures for 2017/18, the figures are still significantly lower for this quarter.

With regards to primary fires, Members were advised that there were 38 less than in 2018/19; and the number of accidental dwelling fires, were also on target. They were also informed that unfortunately, there had been 1 fatality; and 28 injuries in accidental dwelling fires (2 being serious injuries), which is 4 more than for quarter 1 last year.

With regards to secondary fires, it was highlighted that there have been 247 less this year, compared with the same period last year.

In relation to false alarms attended, Members were informed that the reductions clearly show the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider Report CFO/047/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the construction of a standalone fourth bay at the new St. Helens Fire Station, which will be sufficiently sized to house the Combined Platform Ladder (CPL) specialist appliance.

Members considered Report CFO/047/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the construction of a standalone fourth bay at the new St. Helens Fire Station, which will be sufficiently sized to house the Combined Platform Ladder (CPL) specialist appliance.

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted the changes approved within the 2019-21 IRMP Supplement, including the introduction of a “Hybrid” duty system at three locations, including St. Helen’s, which will increase the number of available appliances.

Members were advised that the original, approved plans for the new St. Helens Community Fire Station, include 3 appliance bays, which would accommodate the “Hybrid” system (which operates with 3 appliances).

However, Members were also advised that a review is currently underway to identify the optimal locations for specialist appliances. At present, the Combined Platform Ladder (CPL) is located at St. Helens; and although the CPL could be moved to another station, the review has established that St. Helens is an effective location. Members were therefore advised that if the CPL remains at St. Helens, the 3 appliance bays within the original plans, would not be sufficient, hence the proposal to construct a standalone appliance bay at St. Helens.

Members were also informed that the proposals would maximise future opportunities for working with partners, as well as ensuring that all the appliances can be securely accommodated at the new St. Helens station.

Questions were raised by Members in relation to the financial impact of the proposals.

Members were assured that there was money available to utilise within the capital investment reserve.

They were also advised that although the site is fairly vast, the scope to add a fourth bay was restricted due to mine shafts. This meant that an extra bay could not be added onto the building, resulting in the proposal to build an independent, standalone building..

Members Resolved that:

a)    The current progress on the proposed new St. Helens Community Fire Station, be noted.

b)    The proposal to proceed with a new fourth appliance bay, be approved.

c)    The increase of the current scheme budget by £300k, funded by a contribution from the capital investment reserve, be approved.

To consider Report CFO/046/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the  intention to procure eleven [11] type B fire appliances as per the vehicle/fleet asset management plan and in response to the approved changes contained within the 2019-2021 supplement to the 2017-2020 Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP).

Appendix A to this report, contains EXEMPT information, by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Members considered Report CFO/046/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the intention to procure eleven Type B fire appliances, as per the vehicle/ fleet asset management plan; and in response to the approved changes contained within the 2019-2021 Supplement to the 2017-2020 Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP).

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which explained that the Authority have a policy of refreshing appliances every 15 years.

Members were advised that appliances remain on the frontline for between 10 and 12 years, and are then utilised as reserve appliances for the remaining years of their asset life.

Members were informed of the recent decision by the Chief Fire Officer to delay the disposal of 4 appliances, due to the new IRMP Supplement proposals; and also the potential for a no-deal Brexit and possible subsequent civil unrest.

The Chief Fire Officer explained that last time there was civil disorder, a number of appliances were damaged and therefore unavailable whilst being repaired. Therefore, in order to safeguard against such events, it was decided to delay the scheduled disposal.

It was confirmed to Members that the proposals reflect the Asset Management Plans; and the breakdown costs of appliances and a breakdown of the tender process, was highlighted to Members.

Members commented that the proposals relate to MFRA’s core business and core equipment, for which they do not receive any capital grant. Therefore, the Authority are required to put aside revenue to fund the purchase of such essential equipment.

Questions were raised by Members regarding Corporate Social Responsibility; and how this was measured as part of the tender evaluation process.

Members were advised that officers did not have the specific information to hand in relation to this contract, however some general examples were provided to Members; and they were advised that a more specific response would be provided by the Head of Procurement, following the meeting.

Further questions were raised by Members in relation to electric powered vehicles and whether there were charging points available on Community Fire Stations.

Members were advised that currently, there are not charging points on stations. They were informed that although there have been significant advances around electric vehicles, the technology has not developed sufficiently to enable electric fire appliances to be viable. With regards to the introduction of electric vehicles to the ancillary fleet, Members were informed that the cost of electric vehicles is currently still very high compared with the cost of other vehicles; and officers need to apply a judgement around the cost of the vehicle and the pay back. They were also informed that should the Authority decide to install electric charging points on stations, there would be tax implications for staff charging their own vehicles.

Members were advised however, that officers are very mindful of the changes around emissions and electric vehicles; and there will undoubtedly be a point in the future when electric vehicles will be introduced as part of the fleet.

Members Resolved that:

a)    The content of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.