Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chair confirmed to all present that the proceedings of the meeting would not be recorded.

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 because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information:

·         Agenda Item 6 – “Award of Regional Contract for Fire Helmets”

The Minutes of the Previous Meeting, held on 6^th October 2016, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the committee chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Community Safety & Protection Committee held on 6^th October 2016, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair

The Deputy Chief Fire Officer informed Members that in relation to Agenda Item 5 on the Minutes of the previous meeting, regarding “The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme”, the Authority have now been successful in achieving the Silver Award in addition to the Bronze Award. 

Regarding Agenda Item 6 on the Minutes - “Safe & Well Pilot Scheme”, Members were advised that a Learning Lunch had been delivered prior to this meeting, updating Members on the Safe & Well pilot scheme. Therefore, the action contained within the Minutes to report back on the results of the Safe and Well Pilot Scheme, had now been discharged. 

To consider Report CFO/055/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning scrutiny of performance against the Service objectives and the performance targets/ outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2017/18 for the period April to June 2017.

Members considered Report CFO/055/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning performance against the Service objectives and the performance targets/outcomes, as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2017/18 for the period April to June 2017.

The report covered the period 1^st April to 30^th June 2017 (1^st quarter) and included highlights from Functional Delivery Plan actions and Benchmark/Summary Performance Indicators. 

Jackie Sutton – IRMP Officer, provided Members with a presentation in support of the report.  

Members were informed that there are 56 Functional Plan action points, some of which have been carried over from last year.  So far one action has been complete. 

With regards to the Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s), most incident types have seen an increase during the first quarter, with a particularly high number of Secondary fires in May, which may be attributable to school holidays, light nights and warmer weather. 

With regards to performance against our attendance standard, Members were advised that the standard has been consistently achieved throughout the first quarter.

In relation to the number of shifts lost to sickness absence, Members were advised that performance has been within target, however there was a spike in sickness absence amongst non-uniformed staff throughout June. This was predominantly due to the number of individuals off on long-term sickness absence during that month, with the number reducing during July.

Members were informed that the number of accidental dwelling fires have decreased this year compared with the same period last year, as have the number of deliberate fires.  It was also noted that there have been no fire deaths so far this year. 

The number of Road Traffic Collisions have fallen, with 27 less than at this time last year and 15 under target.  The only district within which the target was exceeded was Knowsley, with 17 Road Traffic Collisions against a target of 11.  Injuries in Road Traffic Collisionshave also decreased, with 47 less injuries than last year; and no fatalities. 

With regards to KPI’s within 10% of target, the total number of incidents for the period was 4285, which is 417 more incidents attended than in Quarter 1 last year. This is due to a general increase in most incident types. The total number of Primary Fires and Secondary Fires, along with Carbon Output are all KPI’s which are above, but within 10% of their target. 

KPI’s for which targets were not met, included deliberate fires in non- domestic premises, deliberate vehicle fires; and accidental small fires attended.  Other KPI’s for which the target was not met included Special Service calls attended (however this also includes Emergency Medical Response calls); and the number of false alarms attended. However, in relation to false alarms, it was noted that a large proportion of these calls were good intent.

During the first quarter, Operational staff completed 11075 Home Fire Safety Checks.  Over 55% of these were identified as being delivered to individuals over the age of 65.  Prevention Officers completed 2190 high risk home  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider Report CFO/062/17 of the Treasurer, concerning the use of the LGA’s Public Sector Auditor Appointment Limited (PSAA) as the Authority’s ‘appointing person’ for external audit services for 2018/19 and future years (CFO/009/17). This report advises Members of the outcome of the PSAA procurement exercise and proposal to appoint Grant Thornton (existing Auditor) as MFRA auditor for five years from 2018/19.

Members considered report CFO/062/17 of the Treasurer, concerning the current arrangements for the Authority’s external auditor that will end in 2017/18. Members approved the use of the LGA’s Public Sector Auditor Appointment Limited (PSAA) as the Authority’s ‘appointing person’ for external audit services for 2018/19 and future years (CFO/009/17). This report advises Members of the outcome of the PSAA procurement exercise and proposal to appoint Grant Thornton (existing Auditor) as MFRA auditor for five years from 2018/19.

Members were provided with an overview of the report and were briefed on the recommendation to appoint Grant Thornton as MFRA’s external auditor for 2018/19-2022/23. 

Members resolved that:

a)    the appointment of Grant Thornton UK LLP (‘Grant Thornton’) as Auditor for MFRA for 2018/19 to 2022/23, be approved; and

b)    the Authority respond accordingly to the PSAA consultation (deadline 22^nd September 2017), confirming its satisfaction with the outcome.

To consider Report CFO/063/17 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the impact of the Finance Act 2017 on the current operational flexi duty staff lease car arrangements and the potential need to establish alternative vehicle arrangements in order to manage the road risk for senior officers when responding under blue lights.

Members considered report CFO/063/17 of the Chief Fire Officer, informing them of the impact of the Finance Act 2017 on the current operational flexi duty staff lease car arrangements, and the potential need to consider alternative vehicle arrangements in order to manage the road risk for senior officers when responding under blue lights.

Members were provided with a brief overview of the report, informing them that before the introduction of the Finance Act 2017, an individual’s “cashable benefit in kind” calculation required by HMRC, was reduced by the percentage of business miles to total miles driven in a financial year.  The Fire and Rescue Service nationally was informed in July 2017 via a tax consultant firm that the Finance Act 2017 had removed the option to reduce the tax burden on any individual who uses an Emergency Service Vehicle for private mileage and that an individual must now pay tax on the Gross Cashable Benefit Figure. 

Members were informed that a small working group has been established to develop and consider alternative vehicle options; and a further report will be brought to the Authority at the meeting on 19^th October 2017. 

Members resolved that;

a.    the impact of the Finance Act 2017 on the current operational lease car scheme, be noted; and

b.    a further report be brought back to the Authority following consultation with staff and where applicable their representatives, on the alternative options available to the Authority for the provision of vehicles.

To consider Report CFO/056/17 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning completion of the North West tender process for the replacement of fire helmets and approval to award contract to the preferred bidder.

This Report contains EXEMPT information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Members considered report CFO/056/17 of the Chief Fire Officer, advising them of the outcome of the North West tender process for the replacement of fire helmets, and to request approval to award the contract to the preferred bidder. 

Members were informed that although there is a real focus at present around national procurement, the North West tender process has secured a much better deal with regards to the procurement of fire helmets, than that achieved through the national procurement exercise, undertaken by Kent Fire & Rescue Authority.

Members were also advised that staff have been engaged and consulted around the products considered, to ensure their views were taken into account.

Members resolved that:

a.    the outcome of the tender process be noted.

b.    the award of the contract to the successful bidder, be agreed.