Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Kelly Kellaway, Democratic Services Manager  Email: DemocraticServices@MerseyFire.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

6.

Chairs Announcement

Minutes:

Prior to the start of the meeting, information regarding general housekeeping was provided by the Chair to all in attendance.

 

The Chair confirmed to all present that the proceedings of the meeting would be filmed and requested that any members of the public present who objected to being filmed, make themselves known.

 

No members of the public voiced any objection therefore the meeting was declared open and recording commenced.

1.

Preliminary Matters

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.

 

Minutes:

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)  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 were determined by the Chair to be considered as matters of urgency; 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.

 

2.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 209 KB

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 10th June 2021, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 10th June 2021, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

3.

IRMP 2021-24 Post Consultation Report pdf icon PDF 259 KB

To consider Report CFO/039/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcomes of public/stakeholder consultation on the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2021-24 and to seek approval for the publication of the final post-consultation version, which will be designed before publication.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered report CFO/039/21 of the Chief Fire Officer concerning, the outcomes of public/stakeholder consultation on the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2021-24 and to seek approval for the publication of the final-post consultation version, which will be designed before publication. 

 

Members were given an overview of the report highlighting the plans for 2021-24.  This included that Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority (MFRA) seek to increase the number of fire engines from 29 to 31, which we believe makes MFRA the only service to grow during austerity bucking the national trend.  A hybrid duty system is to be introduced at Kirkdale fire station.  A super fire station to be built, combining Aintree and Croxteth fire stations and the Training & Development Academy – agenda item 5 refers to this change.  A Stinger/Scorpion fire engine to be introduced, which will be based at St Helens, but used all across Merseyside and will replace the Combined Platform Ladder.  Members were advised that due to the changes and where the aerial appliances will be based, the response time to incidents will be faster. 

 

It was added that specialist capabilities will be created at stations and a drone will be introduced that will be managed by the Protection team. 

 

Members were informed that Home Fire Safety Checks will continue and it was stressed that poverty was having an impact on incidents in communities.  Due to this it was announced that smoke alarms would be put up free of charge, as people were more in need of putting food on their tables than paying for smoke alarms that could save lives. 

 

The Protection department would be creating new posts to facilitate visits to High Risk Premises and the Preparedness department will introduce ways of staffing for Fire Control that reflects the demands of the service, but also increases the resilience of the team. 

 

MFRA will continue to provide a high level of support to the whole of the United Kingdom in relation to National Resilience – being more resilient means being more effective. 

 

Members were then advised of the consultation and engagement when planning an IRMP, as the community are MFRA’s number 1 priority. 

 

Members commented on how important this document was to not only manage the Authority, but to keep residents safe.  Staff were then thanked for a very informative and welcomed document. 

 

The commitment to the Blue Light Collaboration and good relationships between emergency service staff were applauded by Members. 

 

Members added how positive the report was and how it is really good for the residents of Merseyside and they were informed that ideas, like the Hybrid system, came from MFRA staff. 

 

Members resolved that: 

 

a.         the responses to consultation have been adequately considered by officers and are reflected within the IRMP 2021-24 (Appendix 1), where appropriate (shown with yellow highlights) be considered;

b.         the proposals within this IRMP have been subject to extensive public consultation (attached), be noted;

c.         the changes which have been made following the comments made (highlighted in yellow), be noted;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Our People Plan 2021- 2024 pdf icon PDF 68 KB

To consider Report CFO/042/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the Authority’s People Plan and revised Leadership Message which details our vision, purpose, aims, values and behaviours of the Service. The plan captures our key people priorities, developed in order to deliver the best possible services to our community through the professionalism and capabilities of our people.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered Report CFO/041/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the Authority’s People Plan and revised Leadership Message which details our vision, purpose, aims, values and behaviours of the Service.  The plan captures our key people priorities, developed in order to deliver the best possible services to our community through the professionalism and capabilities of our people. 

 

Members were given a brief overview of the report highlighting how the mission will change creating new vision and purpose which instils a one team ethos and a real focus on activities which seek to put the community first.  Underpinning MFRS drive to be the best Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) in the country – captured within its vision. 

 

Members were advised that MFRS is being driven by positivity and is unlocking the passion across the service to tackle inequality and protect the public.  The changes have been driven by our staff as 12 months ago the People and Organisational Department asked our staff about the values, focus and important behaviours they felt captured our purpose.  From the result of speaking to staff the new People Plan was then created. 

 

MFRS want all staff to be happy coming to work, and feel like they belong irrespective of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation and the intention is to take this plan and integrate it fully into the service through a series of leadership sessions. 

 

Members acknowledged the work the service do to ensure the wellbeing of staff   and that this is an aspirational plan and the strap line to be the ‘best FRS in the UK’ is an internal narrative more than an external one.  It was added that this is an excellent report and hearing the words ‘positive’, ‘integrity’, ‘compassion’ and ‘leadership’ are inspirational.  This is what the public expect, especially to be the number 1 priority. 

The CFO was thanked for his leadership and the staff were thanked who go above and beyond to protect the public, particularly Lynn Hughes for leading this work on behalf of the Authority.

 

Members resolved that: 

 

a)    the People Plan 2021-24, be approved;

b)    the Leadership Message which outlines our vision, purpose, aims, values and behaviours, be approved; and

c)    the update of the IRMP to include the revised Leadership Message, be approved. 

 

5.

Station 18 and 19 Merger pdf icon PDF 3 MB

To consider Report CFO/040/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the content of this report and approve the commencement of public consultation on the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) proposal to merge Aintree and Croxteth Fire Stations (Stn 18 and 19), creating a new multi pump superstation as part of the development of a state of the art Training and Development Academy on Long Lane, Aintree, Liverpool.

 

These specific IRMP proposals are subject to a twelve-week period of public consultation to commence with effect from 15th July 2021. This is in addition to the twelve-week consultation period for the IRMP which ended on 24th May.

 

Members should note that this consultation relates to the operational response impact of the proposed merger in the context of the associated enhanced training opportunities offered by the overall development it does not replace any consultation relating to any future planning application.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered Report CFO/040/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning:

 

1)    the specific IRMP proposals that are subject to a twelve-week period of public consultation, to commence with effect from 15th July 2021 (in addition to the twelve-week consultation period for the IRMP which ended on 24th May); and

 

2)    that this consultation relates to the operational response impact of the proposed merger in the context of the associated enhanced training opportunities offered by the overall development it does not replace any consultation relating to any future planning application.

 

Members were given a brief overview of the report highlighting the fact that there will be an increase in the number of fire engines as a result of the changes, the facilities will be better for staff and the improved training centre will allow firefighters to train against all foreseeable risk.  It was added that the proposed site on Long Lane will reduce response times in the Aintree and Croxteth areas by 3 minutes and 55 seconds, making them 34 seconds quicker. 

 

Ultimately the proposals make the Service more efficient, more effective, more resilient and quicker to respond.

 

Members were informed that a further report will be brought to the Authority regarding the consultation process. 

 

The proposed site will also hold the National Resilience Centre of Excellence and Training & Development Academy (TDA).  A £1.7m contribution from the Home Office has also been secured subject to public and planning approval. 

 

Members added that Croxteth fire stations current site is cramped, as it shares the land with the TDA and is dated and is really no longer fit for purpose.  Members were pleased that the Home Office are working with the Service by supporting the proposal and providing capital. 

 

Members queried if they can circulate the public consultation dates, to constituents who live near the proposed site and it was confirmed that this is to be certainly done.  Members were also advised that the Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Members of Parliament have been informed of this proposal. 

 

Members resolved that:

 

a)    a twelve-week period of public consultation (to commence with effect from 15th July 2021) regarding the proposal to merge Aintree and Croxteth Fire Stations, in order to create a new multi pump superstation and state of the art Training and Development Academy on Long Lane, Aintree, Liverpool (which is subject to Authority approval), be approved; 

 

b)    the proposal of the proposed merger of Aintree and Croxteth Fire Stations and the subsequent re-designation of appliances outlined in the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2021-24 (this IRMP proposal will increase the number of fire appliances available across Merseyside and is the subject of a separate report on this agenda), be supported; and

 

c)    following the conclusion of the public consultation process a further report will be submitted to the Authority which will detail the outcomes of the consultation process, be noted.