The Authority is 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.

The Authority considered the identification of any declarations of interest, matters of urgency or items that would require the exclusion of the press and public due to the disclosure of exempt information.

Members Resolved that:

a)  There were no declarations of interest made by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

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

c)  The following item of business required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information:

·         Agenda Item 7 – “Disposal of West Kirby”

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

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 3^rd July 2019, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the authority, held on 3^rd July 2019, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/055/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the 2019 Bonfire Strategy aimed to limit the number of deliberate fires and instances of anti-social behaviour across Merseyside.

Members considered Report CFO/055/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the 2019 Bonfire Strategy, aimed to limit the number of deliberate fires and instances of anti-social behaviour across Merseyside.

Members were advised that the planning for the Bonfire Period commenced in June, with regular meetings taking place with partners across all five Districts, along with community engagement. 

Members were informed that the presentation being delivered to them today, is the same presentation that has been delivered to key stakeholders.

The presentation provided an overview of performance over last year’s Bonfire Period. It was highlighted that 2018 saw a 6.6% reduction in ASB fires; and 51.16 tonnes of bonfire material removed across Merseyside.

Members were advised that during the Bonfire Period last year, 73 target hardening visits were undertaken by the Arson Team, to help protect individuals who had been threatened with arson; there were 7 incidents involving fireworks, which was a reduction on the previous year; and there were 9 violence at work incidents.

The presentation provided a 10 year retrospective view of deliberate secondary fires across Merseyside, during Bonfire periods. It was highlighted to Members that in 2009, MFRA were attending over 750 such incidents over the period; whilst the last 3 years had observed year on year reductions, with the number of deliberate secondary fires during the 2018 Bonfire period, being 366.

Members were informed that following the 2018 Bonfire Period, a de-brief took place, which provided an opportunity for staff to give feedback and suggestions for improvements.

Members were informed that officers listened to staff; and as a result of the feedback received, have implemented several of their suggestions for this year. Suggestions implemented include having a trained Protection Officer on cover on key nights, to assist with any issues encountered; involving members of Princes Trust teams in delivering the Bonfire Strategy as part of their work placements; and running paid for social media campaigns.

Members were informed that other suggestions implemented, include undertaking assessments of bonfires prior to mobilising appliances, following a risk assessment.  They were informed that for this year, a tolerant approach will be taken, with officers on the ground attending bonfires to assess the situation, prior to an appliance being mobilised to put out the fire. Where the bonfires are deemed to be safe by the officer attending, they will be allowed to continue burning. This approach will prevent appliances being tied up at secondary fires unnecessarily, meaning that they can remain available to respond to emergencies.

A further suggestion received, was around the Street Intervention Team being deployed to cover other areas. Members were informed that there are now Street Intervention Teams within the Knowsley and Sefton Districts, in addition to the Liverpool team, which will all be deployed over this year’s Bonfire Period.

The presentation provided Members with information around Operation Bangor. They were informed that Operation Bangor is led by Merseyside Police, working in conjunction with partners, and is in response to the increase in anti-social behaviour, firework misuse and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider Report CFO/045/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the draft Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Annual Report which contains an update on the progress made against the ED&I Action Plan 2017-2020 and our ED&I objectives for 2017-2020. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report 2018/19 is attached to this report at Appendix A.

Members considered Report CFO/045/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the draft Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Annual Report, which contains an update on the progress made against the ED&I Action Plan 2017-2020; and our ED&I objectives for 2017-2020.

The Chair of the Authority reminded Members of their personal responsibility to promote ED&I.

It was requested and agreed that this Agenda Item and Agenda Item 5 – “Equality Analysis of Workforce and Employment Data as at 31^st March 2019”, be considered together.

With regards to this item, Members attention was drawn to paragraph 4 of the report, which outlines the areas under the Equality Act 2010 Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), that public authorities must have due regard to, which include the need to:

·         Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.

·         Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

·         Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

In relation to Agenda Item 5, Members attention was drawn to paragraph 9 of the report, which details some of the key figures contained within the report.

It was highlighted to Members that the total number of staff employed by MFRA, as at 31^st March 2019, had increased to 1000 (total headcount), which was a 1% increase. The percentage of crew managers had increased to 5.5% (total of 55), whilst the percentage of firefighters fell to 39%, which is due in part to the expansion of the crew manager role. Members were informed that the re-introduction of the crew manager role has been of massive benefit to the operational part of the organisation.  They were informed that there has been a great deal of interest in the role since it was re-introduced; and that the process is going extremely well.

With regards to Fire Control staff, Members were advised that numbers have remained consistent; and the percentage of support staff has increased from 31.2% (309 staff) during 2016/17, to 35.5% (355 staff) during 2018/19.

Members were informed that the number of staff disclosing their sexual orientation as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) has increased from 15 in 2016/17 to 22. They were also informed that the number of BAME staff has increased by 25%, from 39 in 2017/18 to 49 in 2018/19. It was stated that although this is moving in the right direction, there is still some way to go before MFRA is reflective of the communities it serves.

Members were advised that a number of Staff Networks will be launched in the New Year; and a member of the Senior Leadership Team will be appointed as a senior Sponsor for each of the protected characteristics, to provide support to those Networks.

With regards to female staff, Members were advised that they now make up 26.5% of the total staffing, which has increased from 23.9% over a 3 year period. It was highlighted to Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider Report CFO/044/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning a breakdown of the Authority’s workforce (people) data produced in order to meet the Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Equality Duties and in order to allow scrutiny of the service in the discharge of the said duty. 

Members considered Report CFO/044/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning a breakdown of the Authority’s workforce (people) data produced in order to meet the Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Equality Duties; and in order to allow scrutiny of the service in the discharge of said duty.

It was noted that this item had been considered in conjunction with Agenda Item 4 – “Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Annual Report – April 2018 – March 2019”.

Members Resolved that:

a)    The content of the report, be noted.

b)    The report be approved for publication on the Authority’s website, in order to demonstrate its commitment to equality and diversity; and to meet its Public Sector Equality Duties.

To consider Report CFO/054/19 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcome of the tender process for the North West (NW) for Water Rescue Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Members considered Report CFO/054/19 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcome of the tender process for the North West (NW) for Water Rescue Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted that the previous contract for Water Rescue PPE expired in August 2019. As such, in June 2019, MFRA undertook a further competition process on behalf of the NW FRS’s, under a YPO (Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation) Framework.

Members were advised that the specifications for the items, had been updated to reflect the latest standards.

The high level weightings applied for evaluation of the bids, was highlighted to Members, as was the total estimated spend. However, Members were informed that the potential expenditure is subject to change, depending on the actual requirements during the life of the contract.

Members were advised that 3 companies have been successful across the lots, as detailed within the report. They were also advised that if approved, any NW authorities requiring Water Rescue PPE, will call off this contract.

A question was raised around whether other regions would be able to call off this contract. Members were informed that this particular contract is for the NW only, however other regions would be able to buy off the YPO Framework if they so wished.

Members Resolved that:

a)    The outcome of the tender process, as detailed within the report, be noted.

b)    The award of contract for the various lots, to the companies as detailed within paragraph 5 of the report, be approved.

To consider Report CFO/053/19 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the outcome from the marketing exercise regarding the disposal of West Kirby Fire Station.

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

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