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.

The Chair confirmed that seven new Members had been appointed to the Authority for 2016/17; and those present were introduced.

The Chair also welcomed previous Members Robbie Ayres, Jimmy Mahon and Mike Kearns, who were in attendance; and informed those present of former Members leaving the Authority, who were unable to attend.

Those previous Members in attendance were presented with a small gift on behalf of the Authority in recognition of their contributions, and each was invited to say a few words.

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)  the following items of business required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information:

·         Item 3 – “Part 2 EXEMPT Minutes of the previous meeting” contains EXEMPT information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

·         Item 16 – “Provision of Travel Management Services” contains EXEMPT information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 26^th May 2016, 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 26^th May 2016, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

The Part 2 EXEMPT minutes of the previous meeting held on 26^th May 2016, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Part 2 EXEMPT Minutes of the previous meeting held on 26^th May 2016, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To elect a Chairman of the Authority for 2016-17.

Nominations for the position of Chair of the Authority were requested.

Nominee

Cllr Dave Hanratty –            Moved by Cllr Linda Maloney

Seconded by Cllr Sharon Sullivan

This nomination was unanimously agreed.

Resolved that:

Cllr Dave Hanratty be appointed as Chair of the Authority for 2016/17; and preside over the remainder of the meeting.

To elect a Vice-Chairman of the Authority for 2016-17.

Nominations for Vice Chair position/s of the Authority were requested.

Nominees

Councillor Linda Maloney - moved by Councillor Dave Hanratty,

seconded by Councillor Sharon Sullivan

Councillor Les Byrom - moved by Councillor Dave Hanratty,

                                     seconded by Councillor Sharon Sullivan

The above nominations were unanimously agreed.

Resolved that:

Both Councillor Linda Maloney and Councillor Les Byrom be re-appointed as Vice Chairs of the Authority for 2016/17.

To consider report CFO/055/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the changes to the Membership of the Authority for 2016-17.

Members considered Report CFO/055/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning changes to the Membership of the Authority for 2016/17.

Members noted the replacement of:

Robbie Ayes (St. Helens – Labour)

Steve Niblock (Wirral – Labour)

Jimmy Mahon (Sefton – Labour)

Mike Kearns (Knowsley – Labour)

Cllr Ray Halpin (Knowsley – Labour)

Cllr Denise Roberts (Wirral – Labour)

Cllr Roy Gladden (Liverpool – Labour)

With:

Cllr Joe De’Asha (St.Helens – Labour)

Cllr Chris Meaden (Wirral – Labour)

Cllr Janet Grace (Sefton – Labour)

Cllr Denise Allen (Knowsley – Labour)

Cllr Veronica McNeill (Knowsley – Labour)

Cllr Brian Kenny (Wirral – Labour)

Cllr Sharon Connor (Liverpool – Labour)

The Authority for 2016/17 will comprise of 18 Elected Members, with the political makeup being; 16 Labour, 1 Conservative and 1 Liberal Democrat Member, appointed from the 5 District Councils as follows:

 Liverpool Councillors   Wirral Councillors          Knowsley Councillors

Barbara Murray                    Chris Meaden           Denise Allen

(Labour)                                 (Labour)                     (Labour)

Dave Hanratty                      Jean Stapleton         Veronica McNeill

(Labour)                                 (Labour)                     (Labour)

James Roberts                     Lesley Rennie

(Labour)                                 (Conservative)

Peter Brennan                      Brian Kenny

(Labour)                                 (Labour)        

Sharon Connor

(Labour)

Sharon Sullivan

(Labour)

Sefton Councillors                                     St Helens Councillors

Les Byrom                                                     Linda Maloney

(Labour)                                                         (Labour)

Janet Grace                                                  Joe De’Asha

(Labour)                                                         (Labour)

Paul Tweed

(Labour)

Marianne Welsh

(Liberal Democrat)

The Authority will also continue with the Appointment of Independent Person Anthony Boyle.

Resolved that:

The content of the report be noted.

To consider Report CFO/054/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the structure of the Authority for 2016/17, Committee powers and appointments to Committees and Lead Member and Ambassador roles.

Members considered report CFO/054/15 of the Monitoring Officer, regarding the minimum legal structure of the Authority, the decision making structure to be set for 2016/17, the appointment of Members to Committees, nomination of Chairs and determination of powers and duties of Committees; and the appointment of Members to Lead Member and Ambassador Roles.

Resolved that:

a)    That the following Appointments, Committees and decision making structure of the Authority for 2016/17 be approved:

Chair of the Authority: Cllr Dave Hanratty

Vice-Chair of Authority: Cllr Les Byrom                                      

Vice-Chair of Authority: Cllr Linda Maloney

Labour: Group Leader: Cllr Dave Hanratty (Chair).

Opposition Spokesperson:Cllr Lesley Rennie

Lead Members and Ambassador:

                        Should Members be unable to attend a meeting they are

                        appointed to, they are to arrange for an appropriate Alternate

                        Member to attend on their behalf, to ensure correct political

                        balance; and inform Democratic Services of such

                        representatives prior to the start of the relevant meeting.

b)    The deletion of the Performance & Scrutiny Committee from the Authority’s decision making structure for 2016/17; and subsequent saving of £6,053 pa associated with the payment of Special Responsibility Allowance for the Chair of this Committee, be noted.

c)    The remit of the Audit Sub-Committee be extended to encompass scrutiny, with the Committee being renamed the Audit & Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

d)    The remit of the Member Development Group be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider Report CFO/046/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the Authority's Constitution for 2016/17.

Members considered Report CFO/046/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the draft amended Constitution for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (the Authority) for 2016/17.

Members Resolved that:

a).       The draft amended Constitution for 2016/17, be approved.

b).       the Monitoring Officer to the Authority be instructed to review the Constitution in light of any changes in legislation and to bring a further report to the Authority in these circumstances.

To consider Report CFO/052/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning confirmation of the draft dates for Authority Committee meetings and events for 2016/17; and draft dates for Authority Committee meetings for 2017/18.

Members considered Report CFO/052/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning draft dates for Authority Committee meetings and events for 2016/17; and draft dates for Authority Committee meetings for 2017/18.

The Chair of the Authority highlighted the Strategy Days included within the draft meeting schedule and encourage Members attendance at these events.

Other events, such as Princes Trust Presentation Evenings were also highlighted; and attendance encouraged.

Resolved that:

a)    The schedule of meeting dates and events for 2016/17 (attached at Appendix A and provisionally agreed at the AGM 26^th June 2015), be confirmed.

b)    The schedule of meeting dates for 2017/18, be approved as draft dates, to be ratified at the 2017 Annual General Meeting.

To consider Report CFO/049/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning payments made to Members in the form of allowances during the financial year 2015/16.

Members considered Report CFO/049/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning payments made to Members in the form of allowances, during the financial year 2015/16.

The Chair of the Authority informed Members of the target set to reduce the Members Allowance Budget by 10% over a 4 year period, with 2016/17 being the fourth year.

Members were informed that the deletion of the Performance & Scrutiny Committee and the saving associated with the special responsibility allowance payment for the Chair of that Committee, will ensure that the savings target for year 4 is met. Furthermore, the combining of the roles of Lead Member for Community Risk Management and Member Ambassador for Youth Engagement, will result in the Authority exceeding its savings target.

Members Resolved that:

The information contained within the report and Appendix A, be noted.

To consider Report CFO/050/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning a review of the current Scheme of Members Allowances and any changes the Authority wishes to make to the Scheme.

Members considered Report CFO/050/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning a review of the current Scheme of Members Allowances and any changes it wishes to make to the Scheme.

The Chair of the Authority informed Members that inflationary increases to the Members Scheme of Allowances is aligned to the previous year’s firefighter pay increase, however for several years the Authority have choose to reject any increase to their allowances.

He informed Members that the firefighters pay increase for last year was 1%, however he recommended that Members Allowances continue to be frozen.

Co-Opted Member Mr Anthony Boyle was thanked by the Authority for his enthusiasm and involvement during 2015/16.

Members Resolved that:

a)    The current Members’ Allowance Scheme, be continued for 2016/17.

b)    The confirmation of Members at the Authority’s AGM on the 11^th June 2016, of their intention to reject any pay increase in line with the Firefighters Pay Award for 2015/16, which would have applied to the 2016/17 Allowance, be noted.

c)    Members intention to reject any pay increases in line with Firefighters Pay Award for 2016/17, which would apply to 2017/18 allowances, be confirmed.

d)    Continuation with the combined roles of Co-opted Member (previously appointed to the Performance and Scrutiny Committee as a non-voting Member) and Independent Person, by Mr Anthony Boyle, be confirmed with Mr Boyle:

                                      i.        being appointed to the Audit and Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

                                    ii.        continuing to  consider any complaints against Members, alleged to have breached the Members’ Code of Conduct as “Independent Person”

                                   iii.        being paid for conducting such roles following submission and verification of invoices, at a daily attendance rate of £50 (as and when required) as is the current case.

To consider Report CFO/047/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the nomination of a Member from each of the five constituent District Councils, as the Member responsible for answering questions within their Council on the discharge of the functions of the Authority.

Members considered Report CFO/047/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the nomination of a Member from each of the five constituent District Councils, as the Member responsible for answering questions in their Council on the discharge of the functions of the Authority.

Members Resolved that:

The following Members be appointed by the Authority as the Members responsible for answering questions within their Council on the discharge of the functions of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority:

Councillor                            -           Council

Councillor Denise Allen     -           Knowsley

Councillor Dave Hanratty   -           Liverpool

Councillor Les Byrom         -           Sefton

Councillor Linda Maloney -           St Helens

Councillor Jean Stapleton -           Wirral

To consider Report CFO/051/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the Outside Bodies to which the Authority is currently affiliated; and to request where appropriate, confirmation of continued affiliation for 2016/17 and the appointment of representatives to those organisations.

Members considered Report CFO/051/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the outside organisations to which it is currently affiliated; and where appropriate, confirmation of continuing affiliation for 2016/17 and the appointment of representatives to those organisations.

Members Resolved that:

a)    Continuation of affiliation with the following organisations; and the appointment of the following Members to those organisations, be approved:

b)    Continued affiliation with Merseyside Brussels Office, be confirmed, however representation will be by an Officer rather than Member.

c)    Consideration be made to appointment of a Member to the Pensions Board.

To consider Report CFO/053/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the list of approved conferences and outside meetings and any revisions to that list that the Authority wish to make.

Members considered Report CFO/053/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning their approval for attendance at conferences and outside meetings by representatives of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority, to be determined by the Chair of the Authority.

Members Resolved that:

Approval for attendance at conferences and outside meetings by representatives of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority, to be determined by the Chair of the Authority, be confirmed.

To consider Report CFO/048/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the possible attendance of Members at meetings held at the location of Party Political Conferences, in order to make Authority related representations in line with the Members Scheme of Allowances.

Members considered Report CFO/048/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the attendance of Members at meetings held at the location of party political conferences, in order to make Authority related representations in line with the Members Scheme of Allowances.

Members Resolved that:

a)    Attendance by appropriate representatives of the political groups of the Authority at 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)    The payment of appropriate travel and subsistence expenses for such meetings , but not payment of conference fees, be approved:

c)    Following attendance at such meetings, Members are to report back to the Authority regarding issues raised and responses; and progress on information received.

To consider report CFO/056/16 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the award of the contract for Travel Management Services.

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