Prior to the opening of Agenda Business The Chair:

       I.        Advised the Committee that Members of the Public were present to record the proceeding of the meeting.

      II.        Welcomed Robin Baker Engagement Lead, and Paul Basnett Audit Manager, from Grant Thornton who were present to deliver their findings in relation to Item 3 on the Agenda.

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)  the following item of business requires the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof, due to the possible disclosure of EXEMPT information:

·         Agenda Item 7 – “PFI Project – Progress Report For The Period September 2013 to July 2014”

This report contains EXEMPT information by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

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)  Agenda item 7, PFI Project Report for the Period September 2013 – July 2014, contains EXEMPT information by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, therefore 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 1^st April 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 1^st April 2014, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider the Audit Findings Report for 2013/14 from the Authority’s External Auditors – Grant Thornton.

Representatives from Grant Thornton will be in attendance to present their report.

Robin Baker Engagement Lead from Grant Thornton, External Audit, presented a summary of the Audit Findings in support of their report and gave an unqualified decision on the Authority having clear accounts on the basis that the Chair and the Deputy Chief Executive sign the letter of recommendation on behalf of the Authority today.

The Deputy Chief Executive informed Members that this was Robin Baker’s final Audit and presentation in relation to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, as he has reached the end of his five year set term.

Robin Baker thanked all officers who have been involved with the Audit Processes, over the five years he has been the appointed Auditor, for their professionalism and polite assistance throughout.

Resolved that:

a)    Members Note the Audit Findings Report of the Authority’s External Auditors, Grant Thornton and;

b)    Robin Baker be thanked on behalf of the Authority, for his work over the last five years as external Auditor, and wished well for the future.

To consider Report CFO/096/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning the audited 2013/14 Statement of Accounts for approval and request they be authorised for issue.

Members considered report CFO/096/14, of the Deputy Chief Executive, regarding the audited Statement of Accounts for 2013/14.

Resolved that:

Members

a)    The audited Statement of Accounts 2013/14, attached as Appendix A to this report, be approved and

b)    The Statement of Accounts 2013/14 be authorised for issue, and

c)    The letter of representation in relation to the 2013/14 accounts, attached as Appendix B, be approved and signed by the Chair and Deputy Chief Executive, on behalf of the Authority.

To consider Report CFO/097/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning a review of the financial position, revenue and capital, for the Authority for 2014/15, for the period April to June 2014.

Members considered report CFO/097/14, of the Deputy Chief Executive, regarding Financial Review 2014/15 for the period April to June, providing Members with the revenue and capital position, and full health check, of the Authority’s finances for the first quarter of year 2014/15. 

Members were advised that use of reserves would be maximised to try and avoid compulsory redundancies, and monies would be moved into capital investment reserves to avoid borrowing, and investments split amongst agencies to cover risk as much as possible.

Resolved that:

The contents of the report be noted.

To consider Report CFO/087/14 of the Clerk to the Authority, concerning the Openness in Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 came into force on 4^th August 2014 and of the impact of these Regulations for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority.

Members considered report CFO/087/14 of the Clerk to the Authority, concerning the Openness in Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 which came into force on 4^th August 2014, and of the impact of the Regulations for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, in relation to public access to record proceedings of Authority meetings and the recording and publishing of any Delegated Decisions.

The committee were advised that a report will be submitted to a future Authority meeting to approve amendments to the Authority’s Constitution following the impact of the Regulations.

Concerns were raised in relation to the Regulations provision for the public to record and publish proceedings of Local Authority meetings, and the possibility of misinterpretation of business discussed, being available in the public domain.

Members were advised that one of the Authority’s Corporate Communications team are usually present during meetings of the Authority and would therefore be able to publish articles on behalf of the Authority should the need arise.

Resolved that:

a)    That the Openness in Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, with effect from 4th August 2014, be noted, and

b)    The revised template for Reports to the Authority be noted.

To consider Report CFO/098/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning  a review of progress on the North West Fire & Rescue Services Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Project over the period from September 2013 – July 2014 and to confirm the start of the contract management phase.

This report contains EXEMPT information by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Members considered report CFO/098/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive regarding a review of progress on the North West Fire & Rescue Services Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Project over the period from September 2013 – July 2014.

Resolved that:

That the progress on the North West Fire & Rescue Services PFI Project, and the start of the contract management phase, be noted.