Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Kelly Kellaway, Democratic Services Manager  Email: DemocraticServices@MerseyFire.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

5.

Chair's Announcement

Minutes:

Prior to the start of the meeting, information regarding general housekeeping was provided by the Chair to all in attendance.

 

Members were informed by the Chair that due to the recent local elections we lost 3 Authority Members, but that they would be invited to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 13th June 2019, for a presentation from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (MFRA). 

 

Members that were at the Authority meeting today but were due to leave us on 13th June 2019, were thanked by the Chair for their work and commitment to MFRA. 

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.

 

1.

Preliminary Matters

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.

 

Minutes:

Members considered the identification of declarations of interest, any urgent additional items, and any business that may require the exclusion of the press and public.

 

Members 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 to be considered as matters of urgency were determined by the Chair; and

 

c)  no items of business required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof, due to the possible disclosure of exempt information. 

 

2.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 188 KB

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Budget Authority, held on 28th February 2019, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Budget Authority held on 28th February 2019, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair. 

 

3.

CORPORATE RISK REGISTER DECEMBER TO APRIL MARCH 2019 UPDATE pdf icon PDF 65 KB

To consider report CFO/021/19 of the Chief Fire Officer concerning the current risks contained within the Corporate Risk Register, the status of the risks and associated control measures, including any updates for the period December 2018 to March 2019. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered report number CFO/021/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the current risks contained within the Corporate Risk Register, the status of the risks and associated control measures, including any updates for the period December 2018 to March 2019. 

 

Members were advised of a new risk that had been added to the register, which related to the Home Office Incident Recording System (IRS).  All Chief Fire Officers had received notification that funding had not been granted to renew this system and although the intention is to maintain it, there is a risk for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (MFRA) as we rely solely on IRS for recording all post-incident information. Alternatives are being considered for MFRA should the worst case scenario occur. 

 

It was added that the risk relating to the building of the new fire station at Saughall Massie will be removed from the register as the building is now complete and operational and that MFRA acknowledges that all risks need to be recognised, considered and managed and that risks are categorised by way of risk appetite.  Risks are addressed and maintained. 

Members were reminded that  proposals to  increase the firefighter establishment from 620 to 642, plus 20 in training, would go some way to mitigate against some of the current risks particularly those  related to Protection and Resilience. 

 

Members asked if the Corporate Risk Register will be updated with details of the effect of Brexit and were informed that as soon as there is more information that this will be included. 

 

It was asked by Members if water main mapping would include high risk areas, such as the Echo Arena Car Park incident.  Members were informed that this existed and that ongoing dialogue with United Utilities takes place to ensure the data is accurate – mapping will also show open water supplies. 

 

A question was raised by Members about planning applications around high rises and they were informed that there are processes in place for new structures being built allowing the Authority to comment on water supplies and means of access. 

 

Members resolved that: 

 

the updated Corporate Risk Register for 2018/19 which incorporates the current status of those risks to March 2019, be approved.

 

4.

APPROVED EXEMPTIONS TO CONTRACT STANDING ORDERS 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To consider report CFO/021/19 of the Monitoring Officer concerning the approved exemption requests to Contract Standing Orders for the period 2018/19. 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Members considered report CFO/021/19 of the Monitoring Officer concerning the approved exemption requests to Contract Standing Orders for the period 2018/19. 

 

Members were advised that within Contract Standing Orders there is a stringent procedure whereby a register is kept of approved exemptions for each financial year.  Some exemptions to contract procedures are permitted when the goods, works or services are unique and are invited on behalf of any consortium which MFRA is a member of. 

 

Members were then informed that Appendix A attached to this report shows a detailed analysis for the approved exemptions.  It was added that 2018/19 had a significant reduction to 2017/18 and that 6 of the 9 exemption requests submitted by National Resilience Training were for other Fire and Rescue Authorities. 

 

Members resolved that:

 

the contents of the report, be noted.