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)  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 8 – “Provision of Trauma Services” contains Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. 

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 14^th December 2017, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the full Authority, held on 14^th December 2017, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider CFO/012/18 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning provisional dates for Authority Committee meetings and events for 2018/19.

Members considered report CFO/012/18 of the Clerk to the Authority requesting that Members consider and note the provisional dates for Authority Committee meetings and events for 2018/19.

Members were advised that set meeting dates may be changed and other meetings convened as and when required, in accordance with procedural standing orders. 

Members considered that:

a.    the provisional schedule of meeting dates and events for the 2018/19 Municipal Year, as attached at Appendix A, be considered.

b.    they will be advised of any required amendments to the provisional dates.

c.    the provisional dates (including any requested amendments), to be confirmed at the Authority’s AGM on 14^th June 2018, be noted.

To consider Report CFO/016/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning how the Authority plans to align its capital (physical) assets with its mission, aims and service delivery plans over the next 5 years (2018/19 – 2022/23).

The Asset Management Plans take account of the financial challenge faced by the Authority and consequently the changes that will be required in order to continue to meet requirements and expectations of internal and external service users.

Members considered report CFO/016/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, which sets out how the Authority plans invest in its ICT, Buildings and Vehicle assets over the next 5 years (2018/19 – 2022/23). The investment will be required to continue to meet the needs of the Service and deliver the Authority’s mission, aims and service delivery plans. The proposed 2018/19 – 2022/23 Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Budgets that are on the Budget Authority agenda for approval today have incorporated the required financial  investment outlined in the Asset Plans .

Members were reminded that the disposal of Huyton Fire Station was agreed at a previous Authority meeting on 1^st February 2018. 

Members resolved that:

the revised Asset Management Plans provided as Appendices to this report, be approved.

To consider Report CFO/004/18 of the Treasurer, concerning the setting of a medium term capital and revenue financial plan that allocates resources in line with the Authority’s strategic aims and ensures that the Authority delivers an efficient, value for money service. This will also allow the Authority to determine a budget for 2018/19 and a precept level in line with statutory requirements.

Members considered report CFO/004/18 of the Treasurer, presenting information to allow Members to set a medium term capital and revenue financial plan that allocates resources in line with the Authority’s strategic aims and ensures that MFRA delivers an efficient, value for money service. This will also allow MFRA to determine a budget for 2018/19 and a precept level in line with statutory requirements.

The proposed Capital Programme for 2018/19 to 2022/23 would see a total investment of £31.946m.  This would represent an overall increase in capital expenditure above that in the current programme of £5.536m.  Of this £4.665m relates to the addition of an extra year (2022/23). After taking into account the non-borrowing funding the impact of the net additions to the expenditure programme on the Authority’s borrowing requirement is a net increase of £5.146m. Members were requested to consider the revenue impacts of the proposed capital investment and borrowing requirement as part of revenue budget and council tax considerations.   

Members were advised that under the Local Authorities and Accounting Regulations, MFRA is required to set aside a sum of money each year to reduce the overall level of debt, known as the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP).  Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) (Amendment) Regulations were updated in 2008 and now require each Authority to repay debt at a rate it considers prudent and to set out in an annual statement the Authority’s policy on making MRP in respect of the forthcoming year. The report sets out the Authority’s MRP policy for 2018/19 and Members were asked to approve the policy.

The report set out for Members the proposed options for balancing the 2018/19 – 2019/20 revenue budget based on certain assumptions in the MTFP..  The report also outlined the Authority’s reserve strategy and outlined how the Authority had set aside specific reserves to meet potential significant risks or future one-off projects and investments. Therefore, as the significant risks are known and are being managed or have a specific reserve, the Treasurer recommends maintaining the general reserve at its current £2.000m level that equates to 3% of the revenue budget, below the 5% recommended by Audit. 

The CFO reminded Members that the current plan assumes a £1.9m operational response saving that would see a loss of up to 49 firefighter posts. Since Members approved this option a number of major fire incidents have occurred, particularly the Grenfell incident.  The CFO is reviewing the current operational model to assess any additional operational investment requirements in light of the guidance that may come out once the Grenfell review has been completed.  At this point the plan assumes no further savings can be taken from the operational budget and any additional investment will have to be met from other budget heads.  No additional investment in the operational front line has been built into the proposed financial plan.  Any changes to the staffing model deemed necessary by the CFO will be within the existing 620 whole time equivalent post allocation and will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider Report CFO/017/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the arrangements currently in place for the issue of structural firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and to approve the proposals to revert back to individual issue of PPE and issue Technical Rescue Jackets.

Members considered report CFO/017/18 of the Chief Fire Officer informing Members of the arrangements currently in place for the issue of structural firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and to approve the proposals to revert back to individual issue of PPE and an initial issue of Technical Rescue Jackets.

Members were advised that the existing contract for structural firefighting PPE is due to expire, therefore the Authority need to retender for a new contract.  As the value of this contract will exceed £250,000, Member approval is required. 

Members were informed that the PPE ensemble consists of a fire tunic, over trousers, helmet, boots and gloves.  Each station holds a stock of 1.6 fire tunics and over trousers per firefighter.  Pooled stock was introduced some years ago as an efficiency saving; and when a firefighter needs to replace a tunic or trousers for cleaning or repair they draw a replacement garment from the station stock. 

Members were advised that there can be issues with sizes, resulting in ill-fitting PPE, particularly for women, which is something that needs to be resolved.  The proposal is to revert back to issuing 2 sets of individual PPE to every firefighter which will alleviate the issue of ill-fitting PPE, albeit at an increased cost.  In order to minimise the cost of new PPE, it will be used in conjunction with existing PPE until the equipment is due for refresh.  It is proposed that 325 sets of new PPE will be initially purchased at an estimated additional cost of £143,000.  It is anticipated that these additional costs can be contained within the revenue budget. 

Members were informed of the proposal to issue 2 Technical Rescue Jackets (TRJ) for all operational staff.  Research has indicated that for operational incidents not requiring the use of full structural firefighting PPE, such as Road Traffic Collisions, there is less practicality and more discomfort to staff wearing structural firefighting tunics with the additional high visibility jacket.  As a result several Authorities have moved to a combined working tunic, known as a TRJ.  The cost of the issue of TRJs will be met from existing budgets, therefore it is recommended that our crews are issued with TRJs to increase their comfort levels and dexterity when attending technical rescue incidents. 

Members resolved that;

a.    the requirement for a North West competitive tender process to take place in 2018, be noted.

b.    a change of issue from the current pooled stock arrangement to individual issue, be approved. (Proposal 1)

c.    the additional purchase of a lightweight working rig tunic suitable for non-fire related activity which will be purchased off a current North West framework, be approved. (Proposal 2)

To consider Report CFO/013/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the development of a new draft National Framework and Fire and Rescue Service inspection framework and to provide details of the MFRS response to consultation on both proposals.

Members considered report CFO/013/18 of the Chief Fire Officer, informing them of the development of the new draft National Framework and the Fire and Rescue Service Inspection Framework; and to provide details of the Authority’s response to both consultations. 

Members were informed that there is requirement for a Fire and Rescue National Framework, as it sets priorities and objectives for fire and rescue authorities (FRAs) in England.  The  National Framework was last updated in 2012 and the Home Office has determined that changes are required which warrant a full revision of the Framework to embed the fire reform programme, such as the creation of a new inspectorate for fire and rescue services and the creation of the National Fire Chiefs Council. The new draft Framework also reflects the provisions in the Policing and Crime Act 2017 on emergency services collaboration and changes to fire and rescue governance.

The Home Office proposes the priorities and objectives for FRA’s, as set by the National Framework Document to:

·         identify and assess the full range of foreseeable fire and rescue related risks their areas face;

·         make appropriate provision for fire prevention and protection activities and response to fire and rescue related incidents;

·         collaborate with emergency services and other local and national partners to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of service provision;

·         be accountable to communities for the service they provide; and

·         develop and maintain a workforce that is resilient, skilled, flexible and diverse.

A response to the consultation has been submitted to the Home Office by Officers who had reviewed the proposed provisions of the National Framework.

Members were then advised that in July 2017, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's (HMIC) remit was extended to include inspections of Fire and Rescue Authorities in England. It is now known as Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).  The FRS inspection programme is intended to enable HMICFRS to draw together evidence from inspections of all 45 FRSs in England. 

The categories of graded judgment will be:

·         outstanding;

·         good;

·         requires improvement; and

·         inadequate

Following the outcomes for the consultation and three pilot inspections, it is intended that the full inspection programme will be carried out in three tranches commencing in summer 2018. There will be 15 FRA’s in each tranche and MFRA is in the second tranche scheduled for autumn/winter 2018.

Officers have reviewed the proposed inspection framework and submitted a consultation response to HMICFRS, which states that ‘we believe that the suggested approach is the best one for the FRA and HMICFRS in the first instance as it will result in HMICFRS acquiring a wide range of rounded knowledge about FRSs’.

Members resolved that:

the details of the draft National Framework and Fire and Rescue Inspection framework and the MFRA response to consultation on both proposals, be noted.

To consider Report CFO/014/18 of the Monitoring Officer, concerning the award of contract for Trauma Care Training Services which will develop and qualify personnel to respond to trauma care casualties involved at incidents, including emergency medical response.

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/014/18 of the Clerk to the Authority requesting that they agree to the award of contract for Trauma Care Training Services which will develop and qualify personnel to respond to trauma care casualties involved at incidents, including emergency medical response.

Members were informed that MFRA currently train operational personnel with First Person on Scene at an Intermediate Level (FPOSI).  The training is delivered in a practical setting and within a simulated emergency medical environment, which reflects the challenges our firefighters face at an incident. 

To support the ongoing provision of training, an open tender process was undertaken, tendering for an initial three year period, with the option to extend for another two years.  The tender evaluation exercise sought to balance the issues of quality and price to ensure that the chosen supplier offered the most economically advantageous tender for the Authority. The Authority evaluated the tenders based on Quality and Cost. 

Members were reminded that the specification for this provision included Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR), organisational values and equality and diversity requirements appropriate to the provision and these were weighted and scored as part of the evaluation process. Part of Frontier Risk Group’s tender submission included community engagement and flexible learning.  The expenditure over the duration of the proposed contract is anticipated to be the region of £264,450. 

Members resolved that:

the provision and the award of the contract for Trauma Care Training Services to Frontier Risk Group for the period 23^rd March 2018 to 23^rd March 2021 with a possible two year extension thereafter, be approved.