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.

Members 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 27^th July 2017, 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 27^th July 2017, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/020/18 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning continuation of the Authority’s membership of the Local Government Association (LGA).

Members considered report CFO/020/18 of the Monitoring Officer, requesting that Members consider continuing Authority membership of the Local Government Association (LGA). 

Members were given a brief overview of the report and it was mentioned that this is the 6^th year that the discount has been awarded.  The freeze on subscription, sees value for money and the subscription can be met from existing budgets. 

Members resolved that:

a.    the continuation of the LGA membership be considered;

b.    the freeze of the LGA subscription fee for a further year and the 2.5% loyalty discount to all Fire and Rescue Authorities not on notice, alongside the 2.5% prompt payment discount to Authorities who pay the annual subscription in full by 30^th June 2018, be noted and;

c.    if, after consideration, the Authority wish to take up the offer of the discounted subscription for 2018/19, of £10,460 plus VAT, the Democratic Services Manager be instructed to raise a purchase order and make subscription payment in full before 30^th June 2018. 

To consider Report CFO/0181/18 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcomes from a two month public consultation on the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2017/20 Update Report.

Members considered report CFO/018/18 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, informing Members of the outcomes from the public consultation undertaken in relation to the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2017/20 Update Report.

Members were reminded that this IRMP 2017/20 Update Report is 12 months further on from when it was first created.  A brief overview was given about the IRMP and Members were informed that the IRMP covers at least a 3 year time span.  It is easily accessible and publicly available to view. 

The public were asked how they feel progress is going and an online survey was conducted, which received 43 responses.  The response to the online survey was small, but the respondents have provided valuable insight into what people think about Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service.   

In addition, consultation took place with Representative Bodies and links were sent to Local Authorities and Fire and Rescue Services.   The written responses received from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and Fire Officers Association (FOA) were considered by officers and responses were provided.  Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (MFRA) has difficult decisions to make in the face of serious financial constraints and it was important to state that all the representative bodies understood this, but not all agreed with the objectives within the IRMP.   

Members were told that Prescot Fire Station is now complete and that Prescot is a joint Fire and Police Station. 

Members resolved that:

the responses to consultation on the IRMP 2017/10 Update Report, be noted and any implications, be considered.

To consider Report CFO/019/18 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the Service Delivery Plan for 2018/19.

Members considered report CFO/019/18 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, requesting that Members consider and approve the Service Delivery Plan for 2018/19, attached at Appendix 1 and note the contents of the Community Fire and Rescue Station plans (Station Plans) attached at Appendix 3.

Members were given a brief overview of the report including Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority’s (MFRAs) mission and aims.  Our mission is to achieve “safe stronger communities – safe effective firefighters”. 

Members were told that MFRA has to set a financial plan that delivers the required savings needed as a result of Government cuts up to 2019/20 and that the Key Performance Indicators are reviewed annually to ensure that they are still relevant for organisational needs. 

Members thanked staff for a wonderfully put together report. 

Members resolved that:

the attached Service Delivery Plan (Appendix 1) for 2018/19 prior to publication on the Authority website, be considered and approved.