The Authority is 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.

The Minutes of the Previous Meeting, held on 8^th April 2021, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the committee chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the authority, held on 8^th April 2021 were approved as a correct record.

To consider Report CFO/048/21 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the progress made against the Authority’s ED&I objectives for 2017-2020. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report 2020/21/19 is attached to the report at Appendix A. 

Members considered Report CFO/048/21 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the progress made against the Authority’s ED&I objectives for 2017-2020.  The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Annual Report 2020/21 is attached to the report at Appendix A. 

Members were given a brief overview of the report and they commented that MFRS is very proactive and that this report was excellent. 

Members asked if we will be able to retain female firefighters as the recruitment so far was great.  Members were advised that Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) will be looking at more flexible working for female firefighters and that staff are encouraged to speak to Human Resources or their line managers about any issues they may have. 

Members asked if staff wanting to/or currently adopt had any support/assistance and they were informed that we already have policies in place for staff regarding adoption. 

Members enquired that if the incremental pay rises were over a long period for the pay gap, would that effect the figures.  Members were advised that the government ask for the figures in this way but that there is no difference in the amount staff of the same grade get paid regardless of their sex.  It was added that MFRS is massively dominated by males in the organisation, but in the future as female firefighters move through the ranks, the figures in this report would change and results will be seen. 

Members resolved that:

The ED&I Annual Report for publication on the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) website in order to demonstrate Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority’s (MFRA) commitment to ED&I and in order to demonstrate how it has met its Public Sector Equality Duty. 

To consider Report CFO/049/21 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the scrutinising of performance against the objectives and the performance targets/outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2021/22 for the period April to June 2021.

Members considered Report CFO/049/21 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the performance against objectives and the performance targets/outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2021/22 for the period April to June 2021. 

Members were given an overview of the report. 

Members asked if the consultation for the Long Lane Super Fire Station had started and if so how it was going.  Members were advised that the consultation has began and so far there are no negative comments regarding the build.  It is looking positive and the consultation finishes at the end of October 2021. 

Members resolved that: 

The attached reports for publication on the website, be approved. 

To consider Report CFO/052/21 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning a current update and future proposals in the spending of the various grants provided by Her Majesty’s Government (‘HMG’) to enhance the ongoing and emerging Protection work.

Members considered Report CFO/052/21 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning a current update and future proposals in the spending of the various grants provided by Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) to enhance the ongoing and emerging Protection work. 

Members were given a brief overview of the report. 

Members asked if the money was to fund extra staff and were advised that as this was a grant it would only fund staff for a certain period of time.  The money will be used for in house training and be subsidised back into the operational workforce. 

Members questioned if there was a time limit on the grants and were told that there are set parameters as stated in the report but to simplify it, it is a couple of years. 

Members resolved that:

a)    The current spending allocation of the various grants, be noted; and

b)    The spending proposals and anticipated expenditure in line with HMG guidelines, be approved.