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)  no items of business required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 11^th February 2014; are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

Members considered the Minutes of the previous meeting of the authority, held on 11^th February 2014.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 11the February 2014 be approved as a true record of the proceedings of that meeting and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/010/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning the financial position, both revenue and capital, for the Authority for the period April to December 2013.

Members considered report CFO/010/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer regarding review of the financial position, revenue and capital, for the Authority for the period April to December 2013, as part of the regular comprehensive financial reviews considered by the Authority during the year to provide a full health check on the Authority’s finances.

Resolved that:

2.              That Members:

a)     Approve the 2013/14 budget amendments as set out in the report; and

b)     Approve the utilisation of the £1.500m favourable revenue position to increase in the smoothing reserve in light of the future financial challenge facing the Authority; and

c)     Instruct the Deputy Chief Executive to continue to work with budget managers to maximise savings in 2013/14.

To consider Report CFO/020/14 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcomes from the stakeholders/ public engagement related to station mergers (and other operational response) options.

Members considered report CFO/011/14 of the Chief fire Officer regarding the outcomes from the stakeholder/public engagement related to station mergers, and other operational response options, and the supporting Equality Impact Assessment.

Members expressed their thanks and appreciation to Officers and Dale Hall from Opinion Research Services, for the good work which has gone into conducting informative and well delivered consultation events with stakeholders and the public.

It was noted that all who had attended these events came away fully informed and understand the position the Authority is faced with. Attendee’s also felt that the Station Merger option was the least worst option to adopt in the current circumstances. 

Resolved that:

 Members;

a)    Note the content of this report and its appendices; and

b)    Consider the outcomes of the stakeholder/public engagement as they make any decisions on proposals relating to their financial plans including station mergers and the other operational response options taking account of the position advanced within paragraph 17 of this report.

To consider Report CFO/011/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning the setting of a medium term financial plan – both capital and revenue – that allocates resources in line with the Authority’s strategic aims; and ensures that the Authority delivers and efficient, value for money service.

The Chair of the Authority Councillor Dave Hanratty moved a budget resolution on behalf of Labour Group, details of which had been circulated to all Members.

Vice Chair Councillor Les Byrom seconded the motion.

It was noted that no other proposed resolutions had been submitted by any other group.

Members considered report CFO/020/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer regarding the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority Budget and Financial Plan 2014/2015 – 2018/2019, to allow Members to set a medium term financial plan, both capital and revenue, that allocates resources in line with the Authority’s strategic aims and ensures that the Authority delivers an efficient, value for money service. The detailed report also allows the Authority to determine a budget for 2014/2015 and a precept level in line with statutory requirements.

Debate took place regarding the difficult decisions the Authority are faced with due to the financial burden placed upon them by central government, who have cut the amount of government grant to the Authority year upon year.

Members expressed thanks to staff for their continued support and to officers for their work towards plans to meet the budget deficit and for all the consultation events which have taken place across Merseyside. Members also thanked Union representative for their continued constructive discussions and opened invited to all Union representatives of the Authority’s employees, to meet with him in future. 

Union Representatives were invited to address the Authority.

Fire Brigades Union representative Mark Rowe, followed by the Fire Officers Association representative Chris Case, addressed the Authority to express their disappointment on behalf employee and the public, for the difficult decision the Authority are faced with making, and confirmed that it was through no fault of Members of this Authority but the cause of financial burdens placed upon the Authority by Central Government. Union Representatives advised that they continue to support the Authority and continue to work to protect the public of Merseyside. 

Resolved that:

The full resolution as circulated by Chair needs to go here and replace the report recommendationsNB THE RESAOLUTION HAS TWO APPENDICES

Vice Chair Councillor Les Byrom seconder to the Labour Group motion, spoke in support of the motion.

The Chair of the Authority Councillor Dave Hanratty mover of the Labour Group Budget Resolution spoke in support of the motion.

A vote to the motion took place.

15 Members voted in favour of the motion

0 Members voted against

0 Members abstained

Unanimous decision to approve the Labour Budget Resolution 2014/15

LABOUR BUDGET RESOLUTION 2014/15

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan Resolution 2014/2015- 2018/19

1.    Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority has suffered the largest grant cut in the country – over 35% since 2010.

2.    The Authority has planned prudently to minimise the impact on frontline services. The Authority has addressed inefficiency, cut management costs and reduced support services

3.    However with the scale of funding cuts there has been an inevitable impact on frontline services and despite a saving of £7m  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider Report CFO/021/14 of the Clerk to the Authority, concerning a response to DCLG in respect of Draft Regulations on openness in Local Government.

Members considered report CFO/021/14 of the Clerk to the Authority regarding the proposed response to DCLG in respect of Draft Regulation on openness in Local Government.

Discussion took place, for and against the proposals for openness of Local Government Bodies Draft Regulations 2014, and experiences Members have had of members of the public video and photographing meetings at Council. 

A named vote took place:

12 Members voted in favour of the draft response:

Councillor Dave Hanratty,

Councillor Linda Maloney,

Councillor Les Byrom, 

Councillor Robbie Ayres,

Councillor Roy Gladden,

Councillor Jimmy Mahon,

Councillor Barbara Murray,

Councillor Steve Niblock,

Councillor Denise Roberts,

Councillor Jean Stapleton,

Councillor Sharon Sullivan.

3 Members Voted Against the draft response:

Councillor Andrew Blackburn

Councillor Pat Moloney

Councillor Lesley Rennie.

Vote Carried in favour of the Draft Response to the Draft Regulation on openness in Local Government.

Resolved that:

Members;

a)    approve, the consultation response attached as Appendix D to this report, with the inclusion of the provision within the Authority’s Constitution with regard to recordings of meeting with permission of the Chair, and;

b)    instruct the Monitoring Officer to amendment to the consultation response to include the existing provision within the Authority’s Constitution with regard to recordings of meeting with permission of the Chair.

.