Prior to the opening of the meeting, the Chair of the Authority informed Members that Cllr Mahon has sent his apologies; and has confirmed he will be stepping down as a councillor at the next Local Elections.

Members were also informed that Robbie Ayres has resigned as a Councillor; and Steve Niblock has left the Labour Party and will be standing as an Independent in the next Local Elections. Therefore, both are no longer Members of the Authority.

The Chair informed Members that Cllr Jimmy Mahon, Robbie Ayres and Steve Niblock, will all be formally invited to attend the Annual General Meeting on 14^th June 2016, to be presented with a small gift in recognition of their services to the Authority.

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)    The following declarations of interest were made in relation to items of business on the Agenda:

·         Councillors Kearns and Halpin declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4 – “Proposed Prescot Fire Station-Additional Costs”, due to being Knowsley Councillors.

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 on the Agenda required the exclusion of press and public during consideration thereof, due to the possibility of the disclosure of EXEMPT information:

·         Agenda Item 3 – “Part 2 – EXEMPT Minutes of the Budget Authority Meeting 25^th February 2016”

·         Agenda Item 4 – “Proposed Prescot Fire Station – Additional Costs”

The Minutes of the Budget Authority meeting, held on 25^th February 2016, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Minutes of the Budget Authority meeting, held on 25^th February 2016, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

These Minutes contain EXEMPT information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Part 2 – EXEMPT Minutes of the Budget Authority Meeting held on 25^th February 2016, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Exempt Minutes of the Budget Authority meeting, held on 25^th February 2016, were 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 of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider Report CFO/028/16 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the current position in relation to the Prescot merger particularly with regard to the anticipated increase in costs associated with the building of a new community fire and police station, on the land at Manchester Road, Prescot, Merseyside.

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