Information regarding general housekeeping and confirmation of the recording of proceedings, to all in attendance, The Chair declared the meeting open and recordings of proceedings commence at 13.00hrs.

Councillor Halpin be welcomed to his first meeting as a New Member of the Authority, and invited to contact any Member of the Authority, for assistance.

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.

(Cllr Sullivan arrived)

Resolved that:

a)  Councillor Jean Stapleton and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer Kieran Timmins declared pecuniary interests as Trustee’s of the Toxteth Firefit Hub, in relation to item 8 of the Agenda.

b)  no additional items of business to be considered as matters of urgency were determined by the Chair; and

c)  Agenda item 9 Station Mergers Project – Appointment of Contractor 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 23 Serptember 2014, 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 23^rd September 2014, be approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/113/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning a review of the financial position, revenue and capital, for the Authority for 2014/15.

(Cllr Brennan Arrived)

Members reviewed the financial position, revenue and capital, for the Authority for the first 6 months of the year, April – September 2014

The report was well received. Members commented on good performance across the board, and praised all staff involved in developing and submission of the successful bid for transformation and efficiency funding.

Resolved that:

a)  the potential £1.6m favourable revenue position identified within this report be noted,

b)  the utilisation of the £1.6m favourable revenue position to increase the capital investment reserve in light of the future station merger programme and Service investment needs be approved,

c)   the successful bid to the transformation and efficiency fund which has received £4.5m, be Noted

d)  the Deputy Chief Executive be Instructed to continue to work with budget managers to maximise savings in 2014/15.

To consider Report CFO/116/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning a review of the Authority’s Treasury Management activities during the year, to ensure that they are consistent with its approved Treasury Management Strategy and have remained within the approved Prudential Indicators; and the Authority’s Treasury Management performance for the period April to September 2014 for the financial year 2014/15.

Members considered report CFO/116/14 of The Deputy Chief Executive Officer, providing an overview of the Treasury Management Interim Report 2014/15, to ensure that the Authority meets the requirements of the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, which the Authority is required to comply with under the Local Government Act 2003.

In line with the Codes requirements for the Authority to review its Treasury Management activities during the year to ensure they are consistent with its approved Treasury Management Strategy and have remained within the approved Prudential Indicators, Members;

Resolved that:

The Treasury Management activities and performance for April to September for the financial year 2014/15, as detailed in the report be noted.

To consider Report CFO/121/14 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the potential use of voluntary severence agreements for firefighting staff, as a mechanism to achieve the required savings to meet the ongoing financial challenge faced by the Authority.

Members considered report CFO/121/14 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer providing an update on the potential use of Voluntary Severance agreements for firefighting staff as a mechanism to achieve the required savings to meet the ongoing financial challenge faced by the Authority.

Resolved that:

a)    the contents of the report and the potential to utilise Voluntary Severance for Grey Book employees if required as part of the Budget savings options be noted.

b)    the approach advanced in this report regarding applications for Voluntary Severance from firefighting staff be approved.

c)    The Chief Fire Officer be delegated responsibility for the management of such applications to the in the same way as with non-firefighting staff in order to best meet future staffing requirements.

To consider Report CFO/112/14 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the introduction of workplace apprenticeships within the Service.

Members considered report CFO/112/14 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer regarding the introduction of work place Apprenticeships within the Authority.

Members were very supportive of this report and welcomed any further developments to provide opportunities for assisting young people in the local community.

It was suggested that an update report from the Merseyside Brussels Office, for presentation at a future meeting would be helpful, to see what and where funding is and can be drawn from.

Resolved that:

a)    The introduction of 6 apprenticeships within the Prevention function of the Authority, be Approved.

b)    Representative from Merseyside Brussels Office be invited to report to one of the Authority’s Committees regarding funding options.

To consider Report CFO/115/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning the publication of the Police Estate Strategy.

Members considered report CFO/115/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer informing Members of the publication of the Police Estates Strategy.

Resolved that:

the Estates Strategy report from the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office and the proposed response in Appendix B to this report be approved.

To consider Report CFO/107/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning the  Annual Report and Accounts for the period ending 31^st March, 2014 for the Firefit Hub.

Members considered report CFO/107/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer regarding the Annual Report and Accounts for the period ending 31^st March, 2014 for the Firefit Hub.

Resolved that:

a)    The Annual Report and Accounts for the Firefit Hub and the successes achieved by the company be noted,

b)    The strategy to transition Toxteth Firefit Hub to a “Onside” funding model as set out within the report be endorsed and supported.

Members of the Press and Public were requested to leave the meeting 14.04hrs

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

To consider Report CFO/111/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning the appointment of a contractor to build the new Community Fire Stations as part of the Station Mergers Project.

THESE MINUTES ARE EXEMPT BY VIRTUE OF PARAGRAPH 3 OF SCHEDULE 12A OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972