It was requested that Cllr Gladdens apologies for absence, due to representing the Authority at the North West Employers Annual meeting, be noted.

Cllr Niblock arrived during discussion of item 5.

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)  Item 7. Industrial Action Impact and Cover Arrangements report CFO/084/14, be determined by the Chair to be considered as a matter of urgency, to update Members of the current impact on the Authority following recent periods of National Industrial Action.

c)  Item 3 Part Two Exempt Minutes of the last meeting, 26^th June 2014, containing exempt information by virtue of paragraphs 1,2 & 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972; and,  

Item 6 JCC Update Report CFO/080/14 containing exempt information be virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

            Item 3 and 6 be considered after item 7.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 26^th June 2014,are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

Members considered the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 26^th June 2014.

Item 12 Appointments to Outside Organisations, Page 10 Councillor Lesley Rennie requested confirmation that she has now been appointed to the North West Fire and Rescue Forum.

Resolved that:

a)    The Minutes be amended to include the appointment of Councillor Lesley Rennie to the North West Fire and Rescue Forum.

b)    With the inclusion of the above amendment, The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 26^th June 2014, be approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/079/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning the Authority’s year-end financial position for 2013/14.

Members considered report CFO/079/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer regarding the Authority’s year-end financial position for 2013/14.

Resolved that:

a.    The actual financial performance against the approved budget and the achievement of a net revenue saving in 2013/14 of £1.352million be noted; and

b.    The proposal to utilise the one-off saving of £1.352m to fund an increase in the Capital Investment Reserve in light of the planned station merger and investment strategy be approved.

To consider Report CFO/081/14 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning an update on progress made against the Authority’s Equality and Diversity Objectives, including Year 1 2013/14 of the Equality and Diversity Action Plan 2013/16.

Members considered Report CFO/081/14 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer regarding an update on the progress made, to date, against the Equality and Diversity Action Plan 2013/16

Members welcomed the report and expressed their appreciation to Wendy Kenyon Equality and Diversity Manager, and all Staff working for the Authority, and youth engagement teams, for their dedication to Equality and Diversity.

Praise was extended to all individuals who have been involved in youth engagement programmes, for the difference such courses as Princes Trust and Beacon courses has made to young people’s lives.

Suggestions were also made by Members, for Officers to:

·         work closely with other organisations to increase safety and awareness for cyclists,

·         consider the Authority applying to become an Alzheimer’s Friendly Authority,

·         check alternative language formats of the document to ensure correct before publishing

Resolved that:

With final language checks made, and professional design work completed, the Equality and Diversity Annual Report be published.

Members considered Report CFO/084/14 of the Chief Fire Officer relating to the financial impact of the most recent episode of industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union, in support of the ongoing national dispute over pensions,

Resolved that:

a.    The report be noted and;

b.    An additional urgent meeting of the Authority be called following the announcement of any further episodes of Industrial Action, to consider any changes in relation to operational cover arrangements during industrial action and whether the Authority would continue to accept part performance . 

containing exempt information by virtue of paragraphs 1, 2 & 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

Members considered Part 2 Exempt Minutes of the last meeting held on 26^th June 2014

Resolved that:

Part 2 Exempt Minutes of the previous meeting of The Authority, held on 26^th June 2014, be approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

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

To consider Report CFO/080/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning an update on progress in relation to the works on the Joint Command and Control Centre (JCC).

This report contains exempt information by virtue of paragraph 3, of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

Member considered Report CFO/080/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer providing an update in relation to the works on the Joint Command and Control Centre (JCC).

Resolved that:

The contents of the report be noted.