At the start of the meeting, the Chair of the Committee thanked everyone for attending and welcomed any members of the press or public who were observing the proceedings.

The Chair then introduced the meeting and provided all present with an overview of how this remote meeting would work and some housekeeping.

The Chair confirmed that all Members of the Committee were in attendance, and that they could all hear and be heard; and could see and be seen.

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 of the Policy and Resources Committee, held on 19^th December 2019, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, held on 19^th December 2019, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

In relation to the Minutes of the previous meeting, which make reference to there not being a Community Safety Partnership within St. Helens, Cllr Preston commented that since the last meeting of the Committee, a Community Safety Partnership had now been established within the district.

To consider a petition submitted, requesting changes to Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority’s ways of working.

The petitioner – Mr Brace, was admitted to the meeting and advised by the Chair of the Committee that he had up to 5 minutes to present his petition, as per Standing Order 11.4 within MFRA’s Constitution.

Members were informed that once the petition had been presented, they would have up to an additional 5 minutes, to ask any questions that they may have in relation to the petition, which are to be stated and answered without further discussion.

Mr Brace was then invited to present his petition.

Mrs Leonora Brace presented the petition on behalf of Mr John Brace. It was confirmed that as of 29^th July 2020, the electronic petition, started by Mr John Brace, had received 6 signatures.

It was highlighted that the petition is calling on Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority, to change its ways of working in the following 3 areas:

(1) When an individual is owed money by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority as a result of a judicial decision in a legal case where Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority is a party, for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to pay such awards promptly (within a maximum of a month) without the need for further Court enforcement action against Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority before payment is made. 

(2) For Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to specifically state in its constitution which post has delegated decision making authority to authorise the payment of payments resulting from (1) up to a specified amount (it is suggested up to £250,000),

and

(3) If Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority change their solicitor, for the judicial case (tribunal and court) in which Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority are a party for MFRA to informed the Court or Tribunal and other parties promptly of that change to prevent delays. 

It was stated that the petitioners are calling on MFRA’s Policy & Resources Committee to consider the 3 matters highlighted, as the Terms of Reference for the Committee, includes the determination of new policies.

The Chair of the Committee thanked the petitioners for presenting their petition and asked Members for any questions they wished to raise.

No questions were raised by Members and the petition was noted.

To consider Report CFO/042/20 of the Director of Finance, concerning the Authority’s year-end financial position for 2019/20.

Members considered Report CFO/042/20 of the Director of Finance, concerning the Authority’s year-end financial position for 2019/20.

Members were informed that the report provides a summary of the budget and actual outturn position in relation to the approved 2019/20 Revenue, Capital, and Reserve budgets.

Some background information on the 2019/20 budget plan and budget assumptions, was highlighted to Members, and they were informed that those key assumptions remained robust throughout the year.

Members were advised that changes to the original budget and the Medium Term Financial Plan, were monitored closely throughout the year and that quarterly financial review updates are provided to Members, with the last report covering the period up to the end of December 2019.

The budget adjustments in the last quarter of 2019/20, and a summary of the movements for the year, were highlighted to Members, which in summary, are as follows:

·         The Medium Term Financial Plan and 2019/20 key budget assumptions, remained robust throughout the year.

·         The revenue budget stood at £60.282m throughout the year.

·         The original £17.7m capital budget was adjusted throughout the year, mainly to reflect the rephrasing of schemes from 2018/19 into 2019/20; and the rephrasing of schemes from 2019/20 into future years.

·         Members approved an increase in the General Reserve from £2m to £3m during the year, with £23m of committed reserves at the start of the year.

Members were informed that the revenue outturn position was £58.131m, with a £2.151m net underspend. They were advised that after taking account of year-end reserve requests of £0.650m, the underspend was £1.501m. At the 2019/20 Budget Authority meeting, Members approved a strategy of utilising any savings to fund an increase in debt payments, the minimum revenue provision (MRP), in order to free up future years’ budget, to potentially increase spend on frontline services. Therefore, Members were advised that an additional £1.501m MRP payment has been made, leaving the overall revenue outturn position as consistent with the approved budget.

An explanation of the major revenue variances for 2019/20, was provided to Members, and they were informed that Appendix A provides a detailed analysis of the revenue outturn position.

Members attention was drawn to paragraphs 16 to 18 within the report, which summarised the committed reserves opening and closing position. They were advised that committed reserves have reduced by £4.297m in the year, mainly due to a call-down on the capital reserve to fund the new St. Helens station build.

Members were advised that paragraphs 19 to 21, outlined the capital outturn position and that £3.762m of the planned 2019/20 spend, had now been re-phased into 2020/21; and that Appendix B provides a detailed analysis of the capital outturn position.

Members commented that this has been a most unusual year; and that they were very grateful to all staff for what they have done; and to staff working remotely, doing their best in very difficult circumstances.

Members also commented that through the LGA and the Fire Services Management Committee, lobbying was continuing under the Comprehensive Spending  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider Report CFO/040/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning progress made following the approval of the development of apprenticeships as an employer provider.

Members considered Report CFO/040/20 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the progress made following the approval of the Development of Apprenticeships, as an employer provider.

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted that MFRA has been involved in the delivery of apprenticeships since 2015, when it commenced the delivery of Community Safety Advisor apprenticeships.

Members were advised that the Authority subsequently looked to implement apprenticeships across other service areas, including Computer Aided Design, Catering, Business Administration and Engineering and Vehicle Maintenance.

They were advised however, that with the publication of the Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship Standard, the Service considered how this, and other new apprenticeships could be delivered most effectively.

Members were informed that the attainment of Apprentice Employer Provider status, allows the Service to administer these programmes on behalf of our employees; and that the Service is now listed on the Register of Approved Training Providers, as an Employer Provider.

Members were informed that new Firefighter recruits are now enrolled onto the Operational Firefighter Standard Apprenticeship, which is a 2-year development programme delivered through the recruit course at the Training & Development Academy and during development on stations.

It was highlighted to Members that there have been 3 cohorts of Development Firefighters, equating to 59 learners currently progressing through the development programme.

Members were advised that as an Employer Provider, the Authority can claim the cost of delivering the Apprenticeships (currently up to £12k per learner over the 2 years), through our Digital Apprenticeship Service (levy) account; and as a levy paying employer, we pay approximately £170k per annum, into our levy account.

Members were informed that it is estimated that for the first 5 cohorts of Firefighter Apprenticeship learners, the Authority will have claimed in excess of £1m in delivery funding.

It was also highlighted to Members that the effective use of the levy funds, allows for the current funding to be re-invested in training of the existing workforce; and will also allow for funds to be set aside to accommodate any future changes to apprenticeship funding rules and programme delivery.

Members were advised that it is requested that funds received for apprenticeship training, are vired to the appropriate departments involved in its delivery, as highlighted within the table at paragraph 16 of the report, in order to bolster and support those areas.

The Staff Implications contained within the report, were highlighted to Members. They were also informed that the Authority will receive OFSTED inspections, similar to schools, with an inspection anticipated before year end, whether that be a virtual inspection or in person.

It was also highlighted to Members that by re-investing the funds received for the delivery of Apprenticeship training, the Service can ensure that appropriate resources are committed to maintaining high quality Firefighter training, which has a direct impact on how we develop our staff and our ability for our people to be the best that they can be. 

A question was raised by Members regarding the new 2-year Firefighter Development Programme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider Report CFO/043/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the extension of the current contract for the provision of specialist team building training.

Members considered Report CFO/043/20 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the extension of the current contract the Authority holds with Brathay Services Ltd (“Brathay”), for the provision of specialist team building training for one year, due to the inability of the Authority to move to market due to the implications and restrictions posed by the actions in relation to COVID-19.

Members were informed that the Authority currently has a 3-year contract for the provision of specialist team building programmes, with the option to extend by a further year.

They were advised that within this contract, the Authority has, in conjunction with Brathay Services Ltd, developed a tailor made recruitment programme, in order to meet the Authority’s requirements for team building and individual development for our new recruits, as well as current employees undertaking leadership and development training, as part of our corporate succession planning process.

It was highlighted to Members that while the contract allows the provision of a contract extension of 1-year, due to the current spend during the 3-year contract term and anticipated spend for a further year, as detailed within the financial implications, the expenditure during the proposed extension and value of the contract would exceed £250k.

Members were advised that Officers have been unable to tender for the award of a new contract for the supply of this service, due to the implications of the Covid-19 lockdown and the extensive process involved.

Members were also informed that a request has been received from Lancashire Fire & Rescue, to participate in this 1-year extension and then to work with us on any future tender process, when we go back out to tender for this service, over the coming year.

With regards to the financial implications, it was highlighted to Members that based on the known and predicted training requirements, it is expected that the Authority spend for this year, up to July 2021, will be approximately £175k for courses provided. In addition, it is anticipated that the spend for Lancashire F&R will be approximately £33k. It was confirmed to Members that these costs can be contained within the overall organisational training budget.

A question was raised by Members as to how much the contract was likely to exceed the £250k by.

Members were advised that Officers did not have the exact figures to hand, however as the Authority’s Financial Regulations dictate that as soon as the contract amount goes £1 over the £250k threshold, Officers do not have the power to approve. It was stressed to Members however, that the costs are within the available budget.

A further question was raised by Members with regards to paragraph 10 of the report, which references a formal agreement between MFRA and Lancashire Fire & Rescue; and whether Members should be approving the recommendations before such an agreement is in place.

Members were assured that the report has been brought to Members for approval, as spend for our own officers will exceed the £250k. With regards to collaboration with Lancashire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.