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.

Members 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, due to the possible disclosure of exempt information:

·         Agenda item  6– “Part 2 – EXEMPT Minutes of the Previous Meeting 12^th April 2018” contains Exempt information by virtue of Paragraphs 1 & 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. 

·         Agenda item  7– “Disposal of Allerton Fire Station” contains Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. 

·         Agenda item  8– “Disposal of Whiston Fire Station” contains Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. 

The Minutes of the Budget Authority Meeting, held on 22^nd February 2018, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Minutes of the Budget Authority Meeting, held on 22^nd February 2018, were approved as a correct record and where signed accordingly by the Chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 12^th April 2018, 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 12^th April 2018, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/027/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning scrutiny of performance against the Service objectives and the performance targets/outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2017/18.

Members considered Report CFO/027/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning scrutiny of performance against the Service objectives and the performance targets/ outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2017/18.

Members were provided with a presentation in support of this report, by the IRMP Officer – Jackie Sutton.

Members were informed that the report covers the financial year 2017/18 and provides information on Functional Delivery Plan actions and Benchmark/ Summary Performance Indicators.

With regards to the Service Delivery Plan – Functional Plan actions, Members were advised that for 2017/18, there were 56 action points. Out of those, 15 actions have now been completed. For the remainder, some aspects of the actions will be carried forward to 2018/19.

In relation to the Summary Performance Indicators, Members were informed that the targets were met for several indicators, including achievement of the attendance standard, the number of primary fires attended and total carbon output of all buildings.

With regards to the total number of accidental dwelling fires attended, there were 63 less for 2017/18 than for the previous year.

Members were informed that there were 4 fatalities from accidental dwelling fires for the year 2017/18, which is the lowest amount ever recorded. However we will continue to ensure that resources are targeted to those most vulnerable within our communities.

The number of injuries from accidental dwelling fires, also saw a reduction on the previous year, as did the number of road traffic collisions attended; and the number of injuries in road traffic collisions.

Other areas where the performance target was met, were the number of deliberate dwelling fires in unoccupied property; the number of injuries in deliberate dwellings; and the number of deliberate fires in non-domestic premises.

With regards to areas where performance was within 10% of the target, Members were informed that the total number of emergency calls received was over 500 more than the previous year, however there were a number of large scale incidents for which there were many duplicate calls.

The total number of incidents attended was also within 10% of the target; and Members were advised that there were considerably more incidents within the first half of the year.  The total number of fires in Merseyside was also within 10% of the target, as was the total number of secondary fires attended. With regards to the number of secondary fires, Members were informed that during the Bonfire Period, there was a 32% reduction in secondary fires on the previous year, therefore the overall increase on the previous year is likely to be attributable to the good weather observed earlier in the year.

A further area where performance was within 10% of the target was in relation to Sickness Absence Indicators. Members were informed that there has been an increase in the percentage of available shifts lost to sickness absence amongst Grey Book staff, with absence levels peaking during the months of October 2017 and March 2018. With regards to Green/ Red Book staff, a peak was observed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider Report CFO/031/18 of The Monitoring Officer, concerning the key outcomes of a review of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority’s (MFRA) Lead Member and Scrutiny processes and the proposed options for strengthening MFRA’s scrutiny arrangements.

Members considered Report CFO/031/18 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the key outcomes of a review of MFRA’s Lead Member and Scrutiny processes; and proposed options for strengthening MFRA’s scrutiny arrangements.

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted the drivers for undertaking a review of scrutiny arrangements; and the key stakeholders consulted as part of the review. Members were informed that during the review, a number of common themes and ideas where identified, in terms of current issues and suggested improvements.

Members were informed of proposals to re-introduce a Forward Work Plan, aligned to the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP). As the IRMP outlines how MFRA is planning for the future, it was considered that scrutiny should be focused around that plan.

With regards to a Committee Structure to support improved scrutiny, the various options considered were highlighted to Members, along with the option considered by the Strategic Management Group to be the most appropriate.

Members were requested to consider the information contained within the report; and decide on their preferred structure option and arrangements for Lead Member roles.

The acting Chair of the Authority concurred that improvements could be made around scrutiny and that scrutiny around the IRMP would be a good way forward. However, as a number of Members were not present at the meeting and there would be a number of changes in Authority Membership for the forthcoming Municipal Year, it was suggested that the report be noted as a general direction of travel, but that further consideration be given to the structure, with a proposal submitted to the Annual General Meeting for consideration.

Members Resolved that:

(a)  The key outcomes of a review of MFRA’s current Lead Member and Scrutiny processes, be noted.

(b)  The various proposals contained within the report and outlined at Paragraph 20, for strengthening MFRA’s scrutiny arrangements, be approved.

(c)  Further consideration be given by the acting Chair of the Authority in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer, to a suitable Committee Structure to support improved scrutiny arrangements, with a proposal submitted to the Annual General Meeting on 14^th June 2018 for consideration and approval.

The Part 2 EXEMPT Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 12^th April 2018, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

This Minute contains EXEMPT information by virtue of Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Part 2 – EXEMPT Minutes of the previous meeting, held on 12^th April 2018, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/030/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcome of a joint marketing exercise for the disposal of Allerton Fire station and Allerton Police Station.

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/030/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcome of a joint marketing exercise for the disposal of Allerton Fire Station and Allerton Police Station.

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted the background detail and explained that the highest bids received were for the combined fire and police sites.

Members were advised that as a result of the bidding process, MFRA were inundated with expressions of interest, with eighteen formal offers received. Some of the formal offers received were conditional offers and some were unconditional offers. Six offers were received for the combined site, some of which were higher than the offer recommended for approval, however several had a number of conditions attached to the offers, making them more problematic.

Members were advised that the decision to recommend the selected offer for approval was made on balance of several factors; and following discussions with Merseyside Police. The offer recommended for approval was the highest unconditional offer received.

Members Resolved that:

(a)  The disposal of Allerton Fire Station following a joint marketing exercise of Allerton Fire Station and Allerton Police Station, in agreement with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), be agreed.

(b)  The criteria applied and the associated advantages and disadvantages of the unconditional and conditional offers made, be noted.

(c)  The unconditional offer from Liverpool Mutual Homes, be approved.

To consider Report CFO/029/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the sale of Whiston Fire Station.

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/029/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning approval of the sale of Whiston Fire Station to Joy International Limited for £315k.

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted that the £315k offered was significantly higher than the anticipated value. Members were informed that the site was marketed in the same way as Allerton Fire Station, albeit not as exhaustively, with the highest unconditional offer received being proposed for approval.

Members were advised that should they approve the sale, the additional capital receipt would be used to offset the drawdown from the Capital reserve.

Members Resolved that:

The sale of Whiston Fire Station to Joy International Limited for £315k, be approved.