To consider any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lynne Thompson, Jeanie Bell, Paul Tweed and the Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrel.

To consider any Member declarations of interest.

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

Members to appoint a Chair of the Authority.

Members were asked for nominations to the appointment of Chair for the Municipal year 2024/25.

Councillor Linda Maloney nominated Councillor Les Byrom and this weas seconded by Councillor Jan Grace.

RESOLVED that Councillor Les Byrom be appointed as Chair of the Authority for 2024/25.

Members to appoint a Vice-Chair/s.

Members were asked to nominate Vice-Chairs for the municipal year 2024/25.

Councillor Les Byrom nominated Councillor Brian Kenny and this was seconded by Councillor Linda Maloney.

Councillor Les Byrom nominated Councillor James Roberts and this was seconded by Councillors Edna Finneran and Gill Wood.

RESOLVED that Councillors Brian Kenny and James Roberts be appointed as Vice-Chairs of the Authority for 2024/25.  

To consider the minutes of the last meeting held on the 16^th May 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 16^th May be agreed as an accurate record.

To consider the Membership of the Authority report (CFO/33/24).

Councillor Les Byrom placed on record his thanks to Councillors Byron, Moloney and Murphy who were leaving the Authority and welcomed Councillors Makinson, O’Keeffe and Bell who had been appointed for this municipal year.

RESOLVED that:

a)    the contents of the report be noted;

b)    the membership of the Authority further to the appointments by the five district councils in Merseyside be noted; and

c)     the appointment of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Merseyside to the Authority be continued.

To consider the Meeting Dates for 24/25 and 25/26 report (CFO/35/24).

Councillor Les Byrom noted that the report included a list of dates for meetings and events for the upcoming municipal year. It was explained that there was flexibility in the dates and they could change if required. Members were encouraged to attend as many meetings and events as possible, in particular the Station Visits and Engagement Days.

RESOLVED that:

a)    the schedule of meeting dates and events for 2024/25 (attached at Appendix A) be approved; and

b)    the draft provisional dates for 2025/26 (attached at Appendix B) be noted.

Monitoring Officer, Ria Groves, presented the report and gave an overview of the political proportionality of the Authority for 2024/25. It was noted that Labour were the largest majority, followed by the Liberal Democrats (Councillor Lynn Thompson would be the Opposition Spokesperson for 2024/25).

It was noted that five Members has been nominated to Lead Member roles covering Protection, Prevention, People, Preparedness and Operational Response and it was agreed that this role would not attract a special responsibility allowance.

It was confirmed that the Chair of Scrutiny would represent the Authority on the Local Pension Board.

RESOLVED that:

a)    the committees it wishes to establish be determined,

b)     the number of voting Members to be appointed to each Committee be determined,

c)    the number of seats on each Committee to be allocated to each political group in accordance with the political balance regulations be determined;

d)    an alternative from the relevant political group already appointed to the Authority can attend a Committee in the absence of the substantive Member be determined;

e)    the Members who are to be appointed to Committees and roles attracting a Special Responsibility Allowance, in accordance with the wishes of the relevant political group, in respect of those seats allocated to that group be confirmed;

f)     the Members who are to appointed to Lead Members roles be confirmed;

g)    the Member who is to be appointed as an Employer Representative on the Local Pension Board be confirmed; and

h)    that Members will inform Democratic Services prior to the start of any meeting if an alternative Member is attending on their behalf be confirmed. 

To consider the Questions on Discharge of Functions report (CFO/36/24).

The following Members were confirmed as responsible for questions on discharge of functions:

RESOLVED that the five Members (one from each constituent District Council) listed above as the Member responsible for answering questions in their Council on the discharge of functions of the Authority be appointed.

To consider the Approved Conference and Outside Meetings report (CFO/38/24).

Monitoring Officer, Ria Groves presented the report which related to Members attending Conferences and outside meetings.

Councillor Dave Hanratty suggested that Members report back to the Authority when they attend conferences and outside meetings and it was agreed that this practice continue.

RESOLVED that the attendance at conference and outside meetings by representatives of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to be determined by the Chair of the Authority be approved.

To consider the Meetings with National Politicians at Party Conference report (CFO/39/24).

The Chair presented the report, noting that the facility to meet with national politicians at party conferences had been in place for a number of years.

RESOLVED that:

a)    appropriate representatives of the political groups of the Authority to attend meetings with Ministers, Opposition Spokespersons and other relevant national politicians, to be held at the location of their own party political conferences, to discuss issues relating to the business of the Authority be approved; 

b)    appropriate travel and subsistence expenses for such meetings, but no payment of conference fees be made be approved; and

c)    issues raised and responses; and progress on information received be reported back to the Authority.

To consider the Appointment of Membership to Outside Bodies (CFO/37/24).

The Chair presented the report which detailed the Authority’s membership to various outside bodies.

It was explained that the NWFRAR and the ASOC MET vary rarely met but that the Authority would continue to be a Member for this municipal year.

It was noted that the Growth Platform had become part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority(LCRCA). Members were advised that a report from the Monitoring Officer on associate membership for MFRA would be submitted to the Authority meeting on the 26^th June 2024.

RESOLVED that:

a)    the current affiliations to outside bodies be noted;

b)    the continued affiliation with each of the organisations specified in this report be approved; and

c)  appointments of Members to each of the outside organisations as the Authority’s representatives and to confirm which Members will be representing the Authority at each outside organisation be approved as appropriate.

To consider the Members Allowance Payments 23/24 report (CFO/40/24).

Members were presented with the allowance payments for the previous financial year (2023-24).

RESOLVED that the information contained within the report and at Appendix A be noted.

To consider the Scheme of Allowance 2024/25 report (CFO/41/24).

The Chair presented the proposed scheme of allowances for 2024/25.

RESOLVED that

a)     continuation with it’s current Members’ Allowance Scheme be approved, or:

b) any variations to the Scheme they may wish to implement, in line with the structure of the Authority (which is being considered as a separate report on this agenda) and the approved budget be identified;

c)    any inflationary increase to the Authority’s Scheme of Members’ Allowances is normally aligned to the previous year’s Firefighters’ pay and subsistence allowances by the previous year’s March CPI be noted;

d)    a pay increase to the Scheme of Members allowances in line with the Firefighters Pay Award for 2023/24 which would apply to the 2024/25 allowances be approved;

e)      the current roles of Co-opted Member and the Independent Person to be combined; and

                                 i.             to be appointed to both the Audit Committee and Scrutiny Committee, as a non-voting member (subject to approval of the structure);

                                ii.             to continue to consider any complaints against Members alleged to have breached the Members’ Code of Conduct and Relevant Officers under the Relevant Officers Disciplinary Procedure on the Independent Panel as the “Independent Person”; and

                                   iii.         to be paid for conducting such roles following submission and verification of invoices at a daily attendance rate of £60 (as and when required) as is the current case.

To consider the MFRA Constitution 24/25 report (CFO/42/24).

Monitoring Officer, Ria Groves, presented the report which outlined the proposed changes to the Constitution for 2024/25. It was noted that the Constitution was reviewed throughout the year to ensure it was relevant.

The proposed changes included amending some minor typographical errors, and updating referenced to the Community Risk Management Plan.

It was expected that there would be legislative changes to local government procurement later in the year and as such further amendments may be required.  

Members were advised that there had been a change to the financial regulations, raising the amount of virement to be reported to the Authority to £75,000. It was noted that this was the first time this had been raised in over ten years, but that this was now required due to inflation and the rise in cost of goods.

RESOLVED that:

a)    the draft amended Constitution for 2024/25 be approved;

b)     the Monitoring Officer to the Authority be instructed to keep the constitution under review; and

c)    in the event of any relevant changes in legislation, a further report  be brought back to the Authority.