The Committee 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)        The following declarations of interest were made by individual Members:

·      Councillors Rennie and Hanratty declared an interest in relation to Agenda item 6 – Final Service Delivery Plan, as there was reference to the Fire Support Network (FSN). Cllr Rennie declared that she is a Trustee of FSN and Cllr Hanratty a Board Member of FSN.

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.

Chairs Announcement

The Chair offered congratulations, on behalf of the Authority, to Group Manager Glynis Lomax who recently received the Queens Fire Service Medal in recognition of her service.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 11^th June 2013, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority’s Annual General Meeting, held on 11^th June 2013, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/080/13 of the Deputy Chief Executive concerning the Authority’s year-end financial position for 2012/13.

Members were provided with a powerpoint presentation by the Deputy Chief Executive, regarding the Chancellors Spending Review Announcement on 26^th June 2013.

Following the presentation Members considered report CFO/080/13, including Appendices A-E, of the Deputy Chief Executive regarding the Revenue and Capital Outturn the 2012/13, detailing the Authority’s year end financial position.

Resolved that:

a)        The actual financial performance against the approved budget and the achievement of a net revenue saving in 2012/13 of £2.310million, be noted; and

b)        The proposal to utilise the one-off saving of £2.310m to fund future investment in firefighter safety, business re-engineering; equality and disability access and create reserves, be approved.

c)         The Authority’s appreciation to officers for their budget management and savings achieved, be noted.

To consider Report CFO/081/13 of the Chief Fire Officer concerning a summarised update on all the work-streams associated with the Joint Merseyside Police and Fire Command and Control Centre, (JCC) development at SHQ Bridle Road and to look ahead at the key programme milestones between now and practical completion forecast for May 2014.

Members considered report CFO/081/13, including Appendix A, of the Deputy Chief Executive, regarding the Joint Control Centre Project Update, summarising the work streams associated with the joint Merseyside Fire and Police Command Control Centre development at SHQ and forward look at key milestones up to the practical completion forecast for May 2014.

Resolved that:

a)        The report and progress to date be noted.

b)        The addition of training facilities at Headquarters to the scheme be approved.

c)         The works required around Stores/Museum, be approved in principal and delegated authority be granted to the Chief Fire Officer (in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chairs) to approve a final proposal, after consultation with Police and Ambulance, subject to it being contained within current overall budget and capital programme.

           To consider Report CFO/074/13 of the Chief Fire Officer concerning outcomes of public consultation on the 2013-16 Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) and approval for the publication of the final post-consultation version of the IRMP 2013/16.

Members considered report CFO/074/13 including appendices A-L, of the Chief Fire Officer, regarding the Post Consultation Report IRMP 2013 -16, which contained the outcomes of public consultation on the 2013-16 Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) and sought approval for the publication of the final post-consultation version of the IRMP 2013/16.

The Chief Fire advised Members that, despite criticism in the Fire Futures Report of a protectionist approach to Firefighter jobs, he stood by his previous professional recommendation to the Authority, to keep all fire stations open at this time. 

The Chair asked Union representatives present if they would like to make comment to this report.

Representatives from Fire Officers Association and Fire Brigades Union advised the Authority that they are aware of the issues faced and agreed that they had been fully engaged in consultation.

Resolved that:

a)        Responses to consultation have been adequately considered and are reflected within the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2013/16, where appropriate.

b)        The Integrated Risk Management Plan 2013/16 be approved for publication on 27^th June 2013 noting in particular, that it reflects its challenging budget position and that in order to balance the books (despite maximising the savings from back office and support services and having a council, tax increase) that  £3m in cuts still had to be  identified from front line services. 

c)         That the IRMP reflects a fundamental review of fire cover undertaken by the Chief Fire Officer that will deliver a cut of £3m the key points following consultation that members are approving are :-

§    A reduction of 90 fire-fighter posts

§    Keeping  all our fire stations open at present

§    There will be a 33% cut in the number of fire appliances immediately available from 42 to 28.

§    We are introducing a standard response time standard across Merseyside of 10 minutes (on average the first response to an incident will be much faster)

d)        The Authority’s commitment to ensuring that the impact of the changes on the communities of Merseyside are minimised and Firefighter safety maximised, be re-affirmed, noting that the IRMP makes reference to four specific issues that will have significant impact upon our staff.  In line with all staffing matters these are the subject of additional staff consultation/negotiation. 

e)        Prior to any implementation (and in line with normal practice) the Authority expects the Chief Fire Officer to exercise his full delegated responsibility for completing those consultations/ negotiations and managing the  implementation of the new fire cover model, in order to deliver the savings and efficiencies in a timely manner and in a way that minimises risk.

f)          The Authority further notes that many of the changes proposed may be challenging for staff, which may mean that it is difficult to reach agreement, therefore The Authority;

                                   i.             Expects the CFO to consider the appropriateness of the resolution process, as set out in the grey book, and indeed the full range of processes available to the Authority, as employer, in order to achieve the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To consider Report CFO/079/13 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer concerning the Final Service Delivery Plan for 2013/14.

Members considered report CFO/079/13 including appendix A, of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer seeking approval of the Final Service Delivery Plan for 2013-14, prior to publication on the Authority’s website.

Resolved that:

The final Service Delivery Plan for 2013/14 and publication on the website, be approved.

To consider Report CFO/082/13 of the Clerk To The Authority on behalf of the Task & Finish Group concerning feedback from the Task & Finish Group established to scrutinise the Authority’s sickness absence levels and review its policies and procedures in relation to sickness absence.

Members considered report CFO/082/13, including appendices A-G, of the Clerk to the Authority (on behalf of the Task and Finish Group), regarding feedback from the Task and Finish Group established at the request of Performance & Scrutiny Committee, to scrutinise sickness absence levels, and review of policies and procedures in relation to sickness absence.

Resolved that:

a)        The feedback from the Task & Finish Group regarding Scrutiny of the Authority’s sickness absence levels and review of its policies and procedures in relation to sickness absence, be noted.

b)        Officers be requested to complete a review of all policies and procedures relevant to sickness and discipline in the Organisation.

c)         A further Task and FinishGroup be established to scrutinise such documentation when it is available; and to expand its Terms of Reference to incorporate this.

d)        Such a Task and Finish Group comprise of the same Members as currently (Cllrs Niblock; Newman and Gladden) plus the appointment of Cllr Rennie as an additional Member (taking Membership of the Group up to four Members), given the extended remit and workload of the Group, and appoint Cllrs Hanratty and Byrom as alternate members should any of the appointed members not be able to attend a future meeting of that group

e)        Request that all papers for any future Task and Finish Groups be sent to Members 5 working days before the date of the meeting so that Members may peruse these properly

f)          A draft Programme of work be provided including forward planning of meeting dates whenever a Task and Finish Group is established.