To consider any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Chris Page, Doreen Knight, Jeanette Banks (Councillors Byrom and Lynn O’Keeffe attended as alternates) and Councillor Lesley Rennie.

To consider declarations of interest in relation for any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest in relation to any item on the agenda.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting held on 5^th February 2026.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the last meeting held on 5th February 2026 were agreed as an accurate record.

As part of the New Dimensions 2 programme for National Resilience, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority were asked by MHCLG to lease and procure a range of assets to assist in providing a specialist response to wildfires in anticipation of the upcoming wildfire season as part of an initial 12-month pilot.

Members will recall 6 Unimogs were leased as part of the 12-month pilot. The Unimog vehicles require 6 PODS to be manufactured and fitted to the Unimogs to provide the transport of firefighter equipment including water tanks to facilitate converting the vehicle into a firefighting response vehicle.

The original route to market for the provision of the bespoke PODS was to utilise a current contracting arrangement. Unfortunately, it became apparent that this option was no longer feasible, and Officers then explored alternative proposals that would still meet the strict deadline. Under the NEPO framework, a contract could be awarded to Lloyds Limited for the provision of the 6 PODS. This was identified as an option in April 2026. It was confirmed that in order to meet the deadline to have the required assets available for the wildfire season, the contract for the manufacture and supply of the 6 PODS needed to be signed by the 14th April 2026.

The contract was to be awarded to Lloyd Limited for £355,100. As the value of the contract was in excess of £300,000 Members approval would be needed.

Due to the urgency of the matter, the award of the contract to Lloyd Limited for £355,100 was treated as urgent business under Standing Order 17 of the Authority's Constitution. As the time scales did not allow for the decision to be brought before a Committee, the Chief Fire Officer and the Chair of the Authority agreed to exercise their powers to discharge the decision-making function of the Authority in accordance with their powers under Standing Order 17.2 to approve the award of the contract to Lloyd Limited on behalf of the Authority.

The Chief and Chair agreed that given the original option to use current contracting arrangements were no longer feasible and alternative solutions were explored, the time frame to meet the critical deadlines for the pilot would not have allowed a report to be presented to Members for approval at the next scheduled committee meeting.

The Chair of the Authority asked for this matter to be brought to Members’ attention at the next meeting of a Committee.

Members were advised that urgent business in accordance with the Standing Order 17 in the constitution, had been undertaken by the Chief Fire Officer in consultation with the Chair of the Authority.

Members noted the award of a contract for 6 pods for a value of £355,100, required completion prior to the next committee meeting that could be convened due to the need for the assets to be available in time for the wildfire period, therefore the Chief Fire Officer and Chair of the Authority approved the contract to Lloyd Limited.

To consider the People Plan Update 2024-27 report (CFO/49/2526).

Chief Fire Officer, Nick Searle, presented the report, which updated Members on progress against the actions within the People Plan 2024–2027. Members were advised that the Fire and Rescue National Framework required each Authority to maintain a people strategy, and that this requirement was discharged through the Authority’s People Plan covering the period June 2024 to June 2027.

It was noted that, as referenced in paragraph 10 of the report, the Plan was built upon five linked themes: attracting and retaining the best people; developing exceptional people and leaders; promoting a holistic approach to health and wellbeing; delivering sector?leading organisational performance; and embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion within a strong, positive culture. The Plan contained 26 actions across these themes, supported by 63 sub?actions.

Members were directed to paragraph 16, which set out the percentage of completion of actions. The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that all actions remained on course for completion within the lifecycle of the Plan, by June 2027.

Councillor Sullivan commended the report, stating that it was an excellent and highly professional piece of work, and noted that the Authority remained on course in delivering the People Plan. The Chief Fire Officer reiterated that progress was attributable to the commitment of the teams involved and confirmed that all activity remained on track. He stated that he was confident that the Authority was moving in the right direction.

Councillor Byrom thanked staff and expressed appreciation for their work, noting that significant praise was due. It was highlighted that this was the last formal diarised meeting of the municipal year and Councillor Byrom placed on record his thanks to staff for their continued contribution, including those contributing at a national level.

Chair, Councillor Jan Grace, queried if the Chief Fire Officer could expand on the Authority’s approach to reverse mentoring, which was contained within page 45 of the agenda. The Chief Fire Officer explained that reverse mentoring had traditionally paired senior leaders with colleagues at different levels within the organisation to gain insight into their experiences, perspectives, and ways of thinking. He stated that the approach had been personally invaluable, and he continued to support this approach across the Service.

Councillor Byrom noted that the previous internal Associate Head of Culture and Transformation lead, who had undertaken similar work within the NHS, also reversed mentored a lot of staff within the Authority. It was reiterated that reverse mentoring was highly beneficial across wide range of staff groups.

RESOLVED that the positive progress made against the actions outlined within the plan be noted.