At the start of the meeting, the Chair of the Committee thanked everyone for attending and welcomed any members of the press or public who were observing the proceedings.

The Chair then introduced the meeting and provided all present with an overview of how this remote meeting would work and some housekeeping.

The Chair confirmed that all Members present could hear and be heard; and could see and be seen.

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

c)  no items of business required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

     However, it was noted that Appendices C and D to Agenda Item 5 – “Heswall Refurbishment Project 2020”, contained EXEMPT information. Members were therefore advised that if any discussion was required around the content of those Appendices, press and public would need to be excluded, and the public link would be disconnected.

The Minutes of the Previous Meeting, held on 6^th February 2020, 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 6^th February 2020, were approved as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/041/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the draft Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Annual Report which contains an update on the progress made against the ED&I Action Plan2017-2020 andour ED&Iobjectives for2017-2020.

Members considered Report CFO/041/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the draft Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Annual Report, which contains an update on the progress made against the ED&I Action Plan 2017-20; and our ED&I objectives for 2017-2020.

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which demonstrates MFRA’s compliance with the Equality Act 2010 General Duty, and an update on the key outcomes delivered in the year, with regards to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

It was highlighted to Members that the Equality Act 2010 Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) (S.149) states that in the exercise of their functions, all public authorities must have due regard to the need to:

·         Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.

·         Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

·         Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

Members were also informed that in order for public authorities to demonstrate they are meeting the PSED, there are a number of specific duties which public bodies, including MF&RA, are required to carry out:

a)    Publish information to show their compliance with the Equality Duty, at least annually.

b)    Set and publish equality objectives, at least every 4 years.

Members attention was drawn to the ED&I Annual Report, attached at Appendix A.

They were advised that in supporting the discharge of that duty, the Diversity Networks have continued to be developed, which have now become an integral part of our work. Members were informed that the Diversity Networks are championed by a senior officer of the Service; and that the Networks are encouraged to comment on our policies and the way we conduct our business, which is directly fed back into the decisions that are made through the reporting process.

It was also highlighted to Members that during the last 12 month period, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (E,D&I) Training, has been developed, which has allowed the Authority to continue to ensure that our staff are aware of the duties placed on us; and ensure that we are meeting that statutory responsibility.

Members were informed that work has also continued around positive action in recruitment. They were informed that recruitment is continuing, particularly from a firefighter perspective, with around 60 individuals being recruited this year. It was stated to Members that the importance and significance of recruiting through positive action, is clear and apparent.

Another area highlighted to Members, was around further developing our work around knowing our communities. They were advised that this enables us to ensure that the activities we undertake as a FRS, on behalf of the Authority, are focused on tackling the inequalities that exist, particularly across Merseyside.  Members were also informed that those inequalities are being addressed, with some of the activities around home safety, really focusing in on the most socially deprived areas of Merseyside.

Reference was also made to Community Impact Funds, which provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider Report CFO/044/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the 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 2020.

Members considered Report CFO/044/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the 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 2020.

Members were advised that through the Functional Planning process, the Service Delivery Plan and Station Plans, the key performance indicators that affect the public in relation to the work that we undertake, are identified.

Some of the key headlines in relation to performance, were highlighted to Members.

Members were informed that broadly, performance is strong. They were advised that in terms of the indicators relating to attendance at fires, those indicators are predominantly green across the board, indicating that performance is ahead of schedule and better than it has been previously.

It was highlighted to Members that unfortunately, there have been 4 fatal fire deaths, which occurred within a very short space of time, during the lockdown period. Members were advised that questions were asked Nationally, as to whether there is a correlation between the number of fires being experienced Nationally and the number of fires experienced within Merseyside, however a correlation between the number of fires and the Covid -19 lockdown period, was not found Nationally. Members were informed however, that one of the fire deaths in particular, related directly to an individual burning refuse, which spread from the garden to the property itself. They were advised that in the opinion of officers, that individual would not have been burning refuse ordinarily, therefore there was a direct link to Covid-19 and the circumstances of lockdown.

It was highlighted to Members that we have had 4 fire deaths over that period; and when compared with 4 fires deaths for the previous year and the year before that, those incidents occurred over a very short period of time. However fortunately, that trend has now diminished.

It was confirmed to Members that although the number of fire deaths has increased, fires in the broader sense, have remained under target; and therefore, performance has been better than previous years.

Another area highlighted to Members, was around the total number of Special Service calls attended. Members were advised that this indicator is for quality assurance purposes, for the Authority to review and remain cognisant of.

Members were advised that the number of calls relating to Special Services that have been responded to, has increased; and it was noted that attendance at Special Services can look and feel like we are supporting other Services. For example, NWAS would have required MFRS to attend more significant incidents over the period, which has resulted in an increase in the number of Special Services calls attended.

A further area highlighted to Members, was around sickness absence. Members were advised that in the context of Covid-19, it would be expected that sickness absence would have increased significantly. However, the opposite has occurred at present, with sickness levels currently being 3.11%, in comparison to the target of 4%. Members were advised that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider Report CFO/047/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the planned refurbishment and development of Heswall Fire & Rescue station. The costs are contained and in line with our Estate Asset Management Plans previously considered by the Authority. Heswall operates on the Low Level Activity and Risk (LLAR) duty system.

Members considered Report CFO/047/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the planned refurbishment and development of Heswall Fire & Rescue station.

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which confirmed that the costs associated with the refurbishment, are contained within; and are in line with our Estate Asset Management Plans previously considered by the Authority.

It was also noted that Heswall operates on the Low Level Activity and Risk (LLAR) duty system.

Members Resolved that:

(a)   The outcome of the formal re-tendering process, be noted.

(b)  The continuation of the planned refurbishment of the Fire Station, be approved.

(c)  The scope of works, be noted as excluding the following items of from the proposed refurbishment on the basis of affordability:

                                          i.    New mist / sprinkler system.

                                        ii.    New external canopy.

                                       iii.    New external storage building.

(d)  The award of the contract to Novus Property Solutions for the sum of £300,761.62, be approved.