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.

The Minutes of the Previous Meeting, held on 23^rd October 2014, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the committee chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 23^rd October 2014, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the chair.

To consider Report CFO/028/15 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning progress on the Prescot merger and to ask for appropriate delegated permissions to ensure projects can continue to move forward speedily.

Members considered report CFO/028/15 of the Deputy Chief Executive concerning progress on the Prescot merger and to request delegated authority.

The committee were informed of the progress of the merger to date and in particular of emergency service partners desirous to co-locate at the new site. The project has been subject to delay for a variety of reasons and it was owing to the need for the project to move forward, without further delays, that Members were asked to grant delegated authority to the Chief Fire Officer.

Resolved that:

1.    the contents of this report be noted; and,

2.    delegated authority be granted to the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) in consultation with the Chair, to negotiate the purchase of additional land with Knowsley MBC; and,

3.    delegated authority be granted to the CFO to undertake all actions necessary to minimise the delay to the project; and,

4.    the CFO be directed to bring back a ‘go/no go’ report as soon as practical with an agreed cost plan, including partner contributions.

To consider Report CFO/027/15 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the continued development of Firefit activity across Merseyside for the financial year 2014/15 in keeping with the delivery plan for 2013/ 2016.

Members considered report CFO/027/15 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer concerning the continued development of Fire Fit activity across Merseyside for the financial year 2014/15 in keeping with the Delivery Plan for 2013/16.

Members considered the positive impact of the Fire Fit brand in young people's lives and were congratulatory of the recognition the scheme has received nationally; and also internationally from the International Olympics Committee.

Resolved that:

1.    The content of the report be noted; and,

2.    Thanks be recorded for all Officers involved in the delivery of Fire Fit programmes and initiatives in Merseyside.

To consider Report CFO/029/15 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning performance surrounding road safety engagement/ education during 2014/15.

Members considered Report CFO/029/15 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer concerning performance in relation to road safety engagement and education during 2014/15.

Members highlighted and queried the difference showing in the numbers of people engaged with across the districts. St Helens was showing a higher number of people engaged with than in other districts.

It was explained that MFRA has a range of Road Safety packages that are offered to all districts. Some packages, such as Drive to Arrive, reach more people but also have a stronger message which some Councils may consider too hard hitting for the target audience. In the case of St Helens, their Council were keen that the Drive to Arrive package be delivered, and consequently more people were engaged with in that district.

The Committee expressed a wish to compare the numbers of people engaged with against the ages of people involved in Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) in order to determine whether the delivery of these programmes are having an effect on the targeted demographic. Members were advised that MFRA only record data on RTCs they attend, and do not record demographical data, however negotiations are ongoing to gain access to Police held Stats 19 data.

Resolved that:

1. the content of the report be noted; and,

2. the contribution made by the Road Safety Team and Operational crews to improve road safety across Merseyside, be noted.