To consider apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Lesley Rennie and Jeanie Bell (Councillor Jan Grace attended as a substitute for Councillor Bell).

To consider declarations of interest for any of the items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest in relation to any items on the agenda.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting held on 11^th December 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the last meeting held on 11^th December 2025 were agreed as an accurate record.

To consider the Procurement of Next Generation Suits report (CFO/35/2526).

Chief Fire Officer, Nick Searle, introduced the report to update Members on the outcome of the procurement of flood pumps as part of the New Dimensions 2 asset refresh. Members were advised that the Authority had received £29.5 million in grant funding in October 2025, subject to the requirement that the funding be fully spent by the end of March 2026.

Members were informed that the  procurement of 39 x HFS14000 Flood Pumps and Coupling sets would enhance the high volume pump capability, effectively doubling pumping capacity during a flood response, and would replace assets approximately 20 years old.

The Chief Fire Officer highlighted that the procurement route to award the contract was via a Direct Award to Angloco Ltd, the sole UK distributor of the equipment, and that funding for the pumps was provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Councillor Byrom advised that the approval of the procurement of the pumps was time critical, due to deadlines with the funding. He informed Members that the Fire Minister had visited the Training and Development Academy (TDA) the previous week and had been shown the existing high-volume pumps. Councillor Byrom discussed that this equipment was in need of replacement and fully supported the procurement of the new equipment.

Councillor Roberts queried whether Angloco Ltd was the only supplier from whom the pumps could be procured. The Head of Procurement, Hywyn Pritchard advised Members that Angloco held exclusive rights to sell the high-volume pumping equipment in the UK and that, despite efforts to identify alternative suppliers, it was the only available provider.

RESOLVED that;

a)         the contents of the report be noted; and

b)        the award of the contract to Angloco Ltd for 39 x HFS14000 Flood Pumps and Coupling Sets, at a total cost of £1,793,040 be approved.

To consider the New Dimensions 2 Procurement of Flood Pumps report (CFO/24/256)

The Chief Fire Officer, Nick Searle introduced the report and advised Members the procurement of Next Generation Protective Suits were part of the National Resilience programme for Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) teams. It was noted that the deployment of these suits would enhance operational capability and ensure consistency with National Resilience requirements.

Members were advised that the route to market was through a contract with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, permitted under Schedule 2 of the Procurement Act 2023. It was noted that the Authority received £450,725.40 in ring-fenced funding from the Homeland Security Group (HSG) in January 2025 for this procurement.

Councillor Byrom thanked Officers and noted that the DIM team Manager, who was shortly due to retire, had provided an impressive and clear explanation to the Fire Minister regarding the role of the DIM detection team and the specialist equipment used. Councillor Byrom emphasised that these Officers operated at the frontline to keep the  public safe and commended their professionalism and expertise. Councillor Byrom emphasised it was  essential that Firefighters were provided with the best possible equipment to support their safety and effectiveness.

Councillor Hanratty also commended the Area Manager for National Resilience in regard to his significant contribution to the Authority.

Councillor Grace asked whether it was normal practice for the contract to be awarded through the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and requested clarification on the reasoning for using this arrangement.

The Head of Procurement, Hywyn Pritchard, advised Members that the contract was being awarded through the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner because they held the national stock of Next Generation Suits, including all size ranges. He noted that it would be impractical for the Authority to maintain its own full range of suits and sizes.

RESOLVED that;

a)    the contents of the report be noted; and

b)    the award of a contract to the West Midlands Police Crime &

Commissioner for £450,725.40 to procure NextGen suits from the Multi-agency Strategic Reserve be approved