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 voted any objection therefore the meeting was declared open.

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.

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.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 30^th June 2021, 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 30^th June 2021, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/053/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, informing Members that following public consultation in July 2019, the Government announced that it would bring forward legislation introducing a new serious violence duty (“the duty”) on public bodies which will ensure relevant services work together to share data and knowledge and allow them to target their interventions to prevent serious violence altogether.

A presentation will support this report. 

Members considered report CFO/053/21 of the Chief Fire Officer concerning the public consultation in July 2019 when the Government announced that it would bring forward legislation introducing a new serious violence duty (“the duty”) on public bodies, including the Authority, which will ensure relevant services work together to share data and knowledge and allow them to target their interventions to prevent serious violence altogether.

Members received a presentation about a new Serious Violence Duty (SVD) which included its background, context and implementation timeline.

Members were advised that the SVD would provide flexibility for local partnerships to work together on a weekly basis and it was confirmed that MFRA had already been working with local partners for some time and would continue to do so.

Members heard that the aim of the Violence Reduction Partnership, which the Authority are already a part of, was to tackle the causes of serious violence, to identify suitable responses before violence became part of someone’s life and that the VRP also provided opportunities for young people.  Further, Members heard that being part of the VRP enabled MFRA, the police and other partners to triangulate where anti-social behaviours were taking place to target prevention activities.

Members were advised that often fire was utilised as a weapon and often related to intimidation.  Members heard how the VRP work filtered into the Service’s every day work and helped shape its engagement with young people, helping them to tackle their life choices in an effort to make a positive impact.  

Members praised the content of the presentation, the Service’s pro-active work around planning and the multi-agency approach.  Members were assured that the recorded fires statistics for the county were reviewed at regular meetings with the police.  Members heard that the Service’s Arson Team would then look at the problem areas and redirect resources appropriately, operating in real time as opposed to being reactive.  Members were further assured that MFRA were capable of dealing with the intelligence within hours of establishing areas of concern.

Members were reassured at the ongoing collaborations and partnerships the Service were involved in, helping to tackle anti-social behaviour, helping young people and that the progress already achieved would continue.

Members resolved that:

a)    the impact the Serious Violence Duty will have on Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS), was noted;

b)    the work the Authority are undertaking through the Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) to support the Duty and reinforce the commitment to continue such work with the relevant partners, was endorsed (was agreed); and

c)    The Authority welcomed a report back on the early implementation of this Duty.

To consider Report CFO/057/21 of the Director of Finance & Procurement, concerning inviting tenders for the supply of firefighter boots and fire hoods on behalf of the North West Fire and Rescue Procurement Group. As the potential value of orders over the life of the contract may exceed £250,000 the Authority is required to approve the award of the contract.

Members considered Report CFO/057/21 of the Director of Finance and Procurement, concerning the award of a contract for the supply of firefighter boots and fire hoods on behalf of the North West Fire and Rescue Procurement Group. 

Members were given an overview to the background of the report.

Members were informed that the North West Fire and Rescue Procurement Group which included Merseyside, Manchester, Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire and Northern Ireland fire and rescue services had been co-ordinating the specification for the supply of various firefighting PPE. 

Members were advised that the specification looked at ensuring the PPE meet the highest standards required to ensure firefighter safety and that suppliers could deliver the required range and scope of products to reflect a diverse workforce so all firefighters needs were met.

Members were advised that a notice was published by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in the Official Journal of the European Union inviting tenders for a number of PPE items on 20 December 2019.  Members were advised that bids were received by the end of February 2020 and considered by the North West Fire and Rescue Procurement Group and the North West Technical Group, which was made up of operational staff from the relevant fire and rescue services.

Members heard how following the conclusion of the technical evaluation of the firefighters boots and fire hoods, the North West Procurement Group now wished to award a framework agreement with the successful suppliers, those being:

Finally, Members were advised that the combined value of the framework was estimated at £800,000 which took into account the needs of all of the North West partners.

Members asked if working with the North West Fire and Rescue Procurement Group was the best way forward for Merseyside.

Members were assured that working as part of the Group would ensure Merseyside secured the economies of scale for the best value and also the supply of the best fire fighter PPE and equipment.

Members queried if it was possible to say how the above figure would be divided between the six Services but were informed that it was difficult to say, as some Services were larger than others.

Members were advised that this new framework agreement could be used by other fire and rescue services and that MFRA could tap into other frameworks.

It was stated to Members that not just price but quality came via framework agreements.

Members resolved that:

a.    The framework agreement with Goliath for the supply of leather fire boots (pull-on quick entry versions), be approved; and

b.    Eagle for the supply of fire hoods, be approved.