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)         the following item of business required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof, due to the possible disclosure of exempt information:

•    ITEM 5 APPENDIX A

The Chair congratulated Nick Searle, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, on his recent award of the Queen’s Fire Service Medal.

Members noted that Councillor Pam Thomas was no longer a member of the Committee and wished to place on record their thanks for her contributions in the past and wish her the best of luck in her new role.

The Minutes of the Previous Meeting, held on 2^nd September 2021, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the committee chair.

Resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2^nd September 2021 be agreed as an accurate record.

To consider Report CFO/003/22 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the change of appointment by Liverpool City Council to Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority, (‘the Authority’) with effect from 01 February 2022.

Ria Groves, Monitoring Officer, presented a report to the Authority concerning a change of appointment by Liverpool City Council. The report explained that Councillor Pam Thomas had resigned from the Authority in November and as a result, Liverpool City Council had nominated Councillor Patrick Hurley as a replacement for the remainder of the municipal year.

Resolved that:

a)      the resignation of Councillor Pam Thomas from the Authority ( Cllr Thomas has taken up a new role on the Liverpool City Council Cabinet) and the subsequent requirement for Liverpool City Council to nominate a replacement Labour Member to appoint to the Authority be noted; 

b)      the appointment of Councillor Patrick Hurley, as one of Liverpool City Council’s nominated representatives to the Authority, with effect from 1st February 2022 be noted and approved; and

c)      the appointment of Councillor Patrick Hurley to the following Committees vacated by Councillor Pam Thomas be noted and approved;

•           Community Safety & Protection Committee

•           Scrutiny Committee

To consider Report CFO/004/22 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the National Fire Standards being written, consulted on and published by the Fire Standards Board supported by the National Fire Chiefs Council, through its Central Programme Office (CPO).

Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Nick Searle, presented the report which outlined the introduction of National Fire Standards and provided background on their development.

Members were advised that by introducing the National Fire standards, the Fire Standards Board aimed to provide consistency across the sector and the Authority had been involved in the development of those standards.

Councillor Maloney asked if this would help to support areas without a Fire Authority and it was advised, that although governance would not play a significant role, the introduction of the National Fire Standards would support those areas through achieving consistency.

Resolved that the new National Fire Standards and the work being undertaken within MFRS to implement and ensure compliance with the new National Fire Standards be noted.

To consider Report CFO/005/22 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the current position of the facilities management contract and the outcome of the negotiation with the highest scoring contractor on the framework.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Nick Searle explained that after a review of the service, a procurement process for facilities contract management had been undertaken. The report noted that the contract would be for five years with the option to extend by a further two years.

The report outlined the contract achievements since 2015 and highlighted the direct and indirect benefits of the proposed recommendations.

Members queried the length of the contract noting that a potential seven years was longer than expected. It was explained that due to the technical aspects of the contract and the complexity of the systems, opting for a longer-term contract was less risky. Members were assured that there were monthly meetings and key performance indicators in place, which would enable MFRA to monitor progress and quality check against a Service Level Agreement and there would be the option for ongoing scrutiny by the Members.

The organisation’s involvement with the Princes Trust was applauded by Members as was the transfer of staff to Bouygues.

Resolved that:

a)        the award of a five-year contract plus the option to extend for a further two years based on performance with Bouygues Energy and Services Ltd be approved; and

b)         the financial implication outlined in the report