To consider any apologies for absence.

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

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

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.

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