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.

The meeting was declared open.

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)  no declarations of interest were made by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

b)  an additional item of business was considered as a matter of urgency by the Chair

·         Item 5 “Nomination to Change the Membership of the Audit Committee”; and

c)  no items of business required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof, due to the possible disclosure of exempt information. 

The Minutes of the Previous Meeting, held on 3^rd September 2019, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the committee chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Community Safety & Protection Committee held on 3^rd September 2019, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair. 

To consider Report CFO/003/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning performance against the objectives and the performance targets/outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2019/20 for the period July to November 2019.

Members considered report number CFO/003/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the performance against the objectives and the performance targets/outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2019/20 for the period July to November 2019.

Members were given a brief introduction of the report and background.  They were informed that updates on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) were brought to the Authority 4 times a year and it was highlighted to Members that the ‘total number of special services attended’ which includes assisting partner agencies, does not have a target and is monitored for quality assurance only. 

Members were advised that KPI’s are monitored and scrutinised each month through the Performance Management Group and that it is really good to see that the vast majority of objectives in this latest Service Delivery Plan are colour coded green, meaning the action is on/or over target. 

Members were informed that unfortunately there had been 1 fatality as a result of a ‘deliberate dwelling fire’ this year, resulting in 1 fire death.  The outcome of this means the objective is colour coded red, showing an increase of the target from last year, whilst the ‘amount of injuries caused to people’ are fewer than last year. 

Members were advised that the firefighter apprentice scheme has been introduced at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) for new recruits.  Their training is operationally focused, meaning less paperwork and they are assessed after 2 years.  Matters are progressing well. 

It was asked by Members the age that you can apply to be a firefighter now that the apprenticeship scheme is taking place and they were informed that it is from age 18.  A query about what a ‘Page Tiger’ system was asked and it was explained that this is an ‘on boarding’ system for new firefighter recruits that have not yet started their apprenticeship training.  Further to this Members asked if everyone got an interview due to it being an apprenticeship programme, but they were told that due to the large amount of applicants (over 1500), that this simply wasn’t possible. 

A question was raised by Members asking if anything could have been done to prevent the 1 ‘deliberate dwelling fire’ death and why the number of them fluctuate throughout the year.  Members were advised that in that instance where there was a death that there was nothing more that could have been done to prevent it.  They were then informed that there are different targets over the year depending on the seasons. Members asked for more information on this and they were sent it later this day. 

Members inquired if MFRS were working with local boroughs with regards to Road Traffic Collision’s (RTCs).  They were advised that MFRS works on a national level in terms of collaboration and a lot of the partnership work is with Merseyside Police. 

The Committee was informed by a Member that they had been to a meeting on Equality, Diversion and Inclusion and that it was very proactive.  Members were advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider Report CFO/001/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the proposed introduction of a new policy covering the option for Flexible Retirement for those employees who are members of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LGPS).

Members considered report number CFO/001/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the proposed introduction of a new policy covering the option for Flexible Retirement for those employees who are members of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LGPS). 

Members were given an introduction into the report and the background of the report. 

Members asked how many staff were considering applying for flexible retirement, and were informed that a few people are interested in this option if it was to be agreed.  It was then asked by Members if the staff are happy with this option, to which they were told that there is a process to adhere to and staff are happy with this. 

Members resolved that:

the implementation of Flexible Retirement for LGPS members and the associated policy, be approved.

To consider Report CFO/010/20 of the Acting Monitoring Officer, concerning a change in membership of the Audit Committee.

Members considered report number CFO/010/20 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning approval of the change in membership of the Audit Committee.

Members were informed that the majority of Members on the Audit Committee will be leaving Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority by the next Annual General Meeting in June 2020.  Therefore transforming Committee Members now, would be best practice for continuity purposes in line with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, s.15 and 16 & Schedule 1; and The Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990. 

It is proposed that Cllr Linda Maloney be appointed the Chair the Audit Committee for the remainder of this municipal year and that the following Councillors sit on the committee: Cllrs Del Arnall, Lisa Preston, Jan Grace and Andrew Makinson. 

A question was raised by Members asking if this Committee could make this decision and they were informed, that they could. 

Members resolved that:

a.    the proposed change in Membership of the Audit Committee, be approved; and   

b.    the appointment of Councillor Linda Maloney as the Chair of the Audit Committee, for the remainder of the current Municipal Year, be approved.