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 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)  the following additional item of business was determined by the Chair to be considered as a matter of urgency:

·         Agenda Item 3 (on updated Agenda) – Motion concerning MFRA support for a Motion, proposed and agreed by the LGA’s Fire Services Management Committee.

This item was determined by the Chair to be considered as a matter of urgency, due to recent tragic events.  

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

·         Agenda Item 7 – Cyber Security Attacks

This item contained 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 13^th June 2017, 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 13^th June 2017, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider and request MFRA support for the attached Motion, proposed and agreed by the LGA’s Fire Services Management Committee.

This additional item has been determined by the Chair to be a matter of urgency, due to recent tragic events.

Members considered a Motion concerning MFRA support for a Motion proposed and agreed by the Local Government Association’s Fire Services Management Committee.

The Chair provided an overview of the motion, which contains six key points for the Government to explore, following the recent tragedy.

The Chair of the Authority formally moved the Motion, which was seconded by Cllr Jean Stapleton.

Resolved that:

The Authority agreed unanimously to support the Motion.

To consider report CFO/046/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, providing the Authority with:

·         An update on the progress against the agreed Equality and Diversity (E&D) actions for Year 4 (2016/17).

·         An update on the progress against the Equality Objectives for 2016/17 as at year end.

Members considered report CFO/046/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, providing an update on the progress against the agreed Equality and Diversity (E&D) actions for Year 4 (2016/17) and an update on the progress against the Equality Objectives for 2016/17 as at year end.

The Chief Fire Officer gave a brief overview of progress made in relation to each of the functions within the Organisation. 

·         Community Risk Management have delivered a total of 49,000 Home Fire Safety Checks to over 65’s, of which 1061 were delivered to BME households. 

·         People and Organisational Development have been involved with a National Firefighter testing programme for functional fitness tests, ensuring that a diverse range of firefighters have been involved in testing and providing feedback to the national group. 

·         Operational Preparedness have ensured that all equipment, uniform and personal protective equipment is tested to ensure that the needs of different groups of firefighters are taken into account before procurement commences.  For example corporate wear for pregnant firefighters. 

·         Operational Response staff from St Helens showed their support for the international campaign to end violence against women by wearing women’s shoes to walk around St Helens Town Centre.  The aim of this was to encourage men to ‘walk a mile in her shoes’ to help them understand the scale of the problem and become part of the solution. 

·         Strategy and Performance had a successful response with the 2016 staff survey and People Insight nominated MFRA for the Engagement Awards 2016, for the category of Employee Engagement Public Sector Company of the Year. MFRA were listed as one of five finalists. 

·         Legal, Procurement and Democratic Services have arranged and facilitated Staff Engagement days and Station Visits for Authority Members, which have been a great success. 

·         Strategic Change and Resources have ensured that stations are updated to meet the latest disability access guidance in relation to building regulations. 

Questions were raised regarding female firefighters and how long they continue to work when they are pregnant. Members were informed that it depends entirely on the individual, however they are taken off operational duties and commence other duties as soon as they inform the Authority that they are pregnant.  

Members requested that their thanks be recorded to staff for the notable achievements. 

Members resolved that:

the contents of the Equality and Diversity report and Equality Objectives, be noted.

To consider report CFO/043/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, requesting that Members approve the renewal of the Multi-Functional Device (MFD) Contract.

Members considered report CFO/043/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, requesting that Members approve the renewal of the Multi-Functional Device (MFD) Contract. 

The Chief Fire Officer provided Members with an explanation of what a Multi-Function Device (MFD) is; and explained that after evaluating the bids received on quality and price, Konica Minolta was considered to be the best supplier. 

Members were provided with an overview of “PaperCut”, a print management solution which enables printing to be monitored and usage reports produced; and which has a number of significant benefits to the Authority.

Members were also informed that over the next 5 years, it is estimated that the contract with Konica Minolta will realise savings in the region of £221k.

Members resolved that:

a.    the award of a 5 year contract to Konica Minolta for provision and support of MFDs used by the Authority, be approved.

b.    the rental of the software “PaperCut”, for the life of the contract, including install costs, be approved.

To consider report CFO/047/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, informing/requesting that the Authority consider the one and ten year fatalities reports appended to this report.

Members considered report CFO/047/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the information contained within the one and ten year fatalities reports appended to this report. 

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted that over the last 10 years there have been a total of 83 fire deaths across Merseyside, as a result of accidental dwelling fires. Those 83 fire deaths were attributed to 78 actual fires, indicating that some fires accounted for more than one fire death. Members were advised that the number of fire deaths reached a low of 5 between 2010/11 and 2011/12, however they then increased year on year, reaching a high of 16 during 2015/16.  During 2016/17, the total number of accidental dwelling fire deaths fell to 7, therefore reversing the upward trend. 

A brief summary given to Members explained that when analysing the room of origin of the fire and the ignition source, it has been found that Smokers’ Materials were responsible for the majority of fire fatalities in the living room and the bedroom.  When analysing incidents by month the greatest number of deaths occurred during the autumn/winter months; particularly between November and March.  With regards to fire deaths and days of the week, deaths are most likely to occur on Fridays and Mondays.

Members resolved that:

the attached reports, be noted. 

To consider report CFO/042/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, informing Members of the proactive and reactive arrangements in place in response to the escalating threat of cyber-attacks.

This Report contains EXEMPT information by virtue of paragraph 3 of part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

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

Members considered Report CFO/042/17 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the proactive and reactive arrangements in place in response to the escalating threat of cyber-attacks.

Members were provided with a comprehensive overview of the report.

Members Resolved that:

In light of the recent WannaCry virus event and the experiences of the National Health Service (NHS), the content of the report be noted.