Members are 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 Minutes of the Previous Meeting, held on the 8^th September 2022, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the committee chair.

RESOLVED - that the minutes of the last meeting held on the 8^th September 2022 were agreed as an accurate record.

To consider report CFO/56/22 and a presentation on the process Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service follow to procure Personal Protective Equipment and operational kit to ensure its suitability for staff and value for money.

SM Mike Broadley, John McIntyre (Category Manager – Goods and Service) and Christine Pruden (Procurement Apprentice) delivered a presentation on the ‘Identification and Procurement of Operational Kit and Equipment’

Following the presentation The Head of Procurement Hywyn Pritchard stated that the organisation relies upon the testing house to give accurate standards for heat resilience however the new kit is better than the national average with the heat resilience being eight seconds.

John McIntyre then told the committee that a second trial would be taking place on the 4^th February 2023. . The trial will take place with 2 males and 2 females to get an accurate test and once the trial is complete the firefighters will have a fit for purpose kit.

Members were informed that the garments are the best quality in the UK and this has been proven through various trials over the last three months, the kits can also go through over 40 washes and still be in good condition.

Members noted that the kit must meet the minimum standards and the procurement team has gone above this, therefore are confident that that kit will last and be effective. Members also queried  if there was a tracker on the kit.. DCFO Nick Searle advised that firefighters already have an audible alarm on their breathing apparatus which allows them to raise the alarm if required. This alarm activates the BA board outside the incident which would initiate emergency procedures to be activated.

Members queried what will happen to the surplus kits. John McIntyre assured members that no current working kit will go to waste as it will be swapped over the course of the next 5 years. Mike Broadley added that every firefighter currently has 2 kits to stop contamination risk and they will be swapped gradually in time. He then told the committee that the old kit won’t be wasted and will be used for organisation days like have a go etc.

RESOLVED  that the report and accompanying presentation be noted

To consider the Scrutiny Forward Work Plan for 2022/23

Ria Groves presented the ‘Scrutiny Forward Work Plan’ to the committee and asked Councillors for any questions they may have.

Cllr Tweed questioned if the Authority could have a look at the staffing for particular stations. DCFO Nick Searle stated that the Authority are looking at the local action that is currently taking place and a degradation list would be utilised if required.  Members were  also assured  that the Service is consistently meeting the response times and that Fire Control will dynamically mobilise when required to do so,

RESOLVED­  that;  the attached scrutiny forward work plan be noted.