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

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.

The Committee 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 declarations of interest, any urgent additional items, and any business that may require the exclusion of the press and public.

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.

As this is the first meeting of the Joint Fire & Police Collaboration Committee, since it was re-constituted, there are no previous Minutes for approval.

As this was the first meeting of the Committee since it was re-constituted, there were no previous Minutes for approval.

To approve the Membership of the Joint Fire & Police Collaboration Committee as being the following:

·         Cllr Les Byrom –                   Chair of Merseyside Fire & Rescue

                                      Authority (Chair)

·         Cllr Sharon Sullivan –        Vice-Chair of Merseyside Fire &

                                      Rescue Authority

·         Cllr Lynne Thompson –      Opposition Member Merseyside Fire

                                      & Rescue Authority

·         Ms Jane Kennedy –                        Police & Crime Commissioner for

                                      Merseyside

·         Ms Emily Spurrell –             Deputy Police & Crime

                                      Commissioner for Merseyside

Members considered the Membership of the re-constituted Joint Fire & Police Collaboration Committee.

Members Resolved that:

The Membership of the Joint Fire & Police Collaboration Committee, be approved as follows:

·         Cllr Les Byrom –                   Chair of Merseyside Fire & Rescue

                                      Authority (Chair)

·         Cllr Sharon Sullivan –        Vice-Chair of Merseyside Fire &

                                      Rescue Authority

·         Cllr Lynne Thompson –      Opposition Member Merseyside Fire

                                      & Rescue Authority

·         Ms Jane Kennedy –            Police & Crime Commissioner for

                                      Merseyside

·         Ms Emily Spurrell –             Deputy Police & Crime

                                      Commissioner for Merseyside

To consider and confirm the Terms of Reference for the Joint Fire & Police Collaboration Committee.

Members considered the attached draft Terms of Reference for the re-constituted Joint Fire & Police Collaboration Committee.

Members Resolved that:

The draft Terms of Reference for the Joint Fire & Police Collaboration Committee, be approved.

To consider a verbal update regarding Collaboration.

Members were provided with a verbal update by the Deputy Chief Fire Officer on collaboration between Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and Merseyside Police.

Members were informed that the Deputy Chief Fire Officer and the Deputy Chief Constable are both new in post; and have been tasked with leading on collaboration between MFRS and Merseyside Police and co-chairing the joint Project Group.

Members were advised that the Project Group met recently, to review the collaborative activity to date; and consider further scope for collaboration moving forward.

They were informed that there are ten key areas of the collaboration review; and there is a lead officer appointed from MFRA and Merseyside Police for each of these areas.

Members were informed that the lead officers have now been tasked with working together to take stock of what collaborative activity has taken place to date; and identify where things may head moving forward, with regards to each area. They were advised that the lead officers will present their findings and proposals back to the Project Board, at its next meeting in approximately 3 months’ time.

With regards to collaboration around shared estate, Members were advised that MFRA and Merseyside Police are collaborating at Prescot Community Fire Station; and that there are potential collaboration opportunities with regards to facilities at the Training & Development Academy.

Collaboration activity between the Operational Planning Teams for each organisation, is also progressing well.

Members were informed that with regards to Operational Response, there are various potential work streams under consideration, such as assisting with missing persons.

In relation to Community Safety, Members were advised that options for improved collaboration between MFRA’s Incident Investigation Team and Merseyside Police’s Investigation Team, are currently being considered.

In addition, they were informed that further collaboration between Control rooms, is also under consideration.

Comments were made regarding the detail of the presentations back to the Project Board; and it was suggested that an informal session be arranged for Members of the Committee, so that they can be sighted on some of the detail around potential collaboration opportunities.

The Chair of the Committee commented that he was keen to try to get North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) involved in the process, if possible.

Members Resolved that:

a)    The content of the verbal update, be noted.

b)    An informal session be arranged for Members of the Committee, concerning further collaboration opportunities identified.

To consider and confirm the frequency and schedule of future meetings of the Joint Fire & Police Collaboration Committee. 

Report number CFO/006/19 attached to show the provisional dates that MFRA agreed at the Community Safety & Protection Committee on 5^th February 2019. 

The Committee considered the proposed future dates for this Committee as contained within the attached report CFO/006/19, considered and agreed at the Community Safety Committee on 5^th February 2019.

Members were informed that three further potential dates have been scheduled, however it is up to this Committee to decide on the number and frequency of meetings.

The Chair suggested that the dates scheduled be kept as place holders; and it can be decided nearer the time if the meeting is required or not.

It was also suggested that one of the dates scheduled, could be utilised for the informal session requested.

Members Resolved that:

a)    The proposed dates be kept in diaries, with a decision made nearer each meeting, as to whether it is required.

b)    One of the proposed dates be utilised for an informal session regarding potential collaboration opportunities.

Prior to the close of the meeting, the Chair of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority thanked the PCC, on behalf of MFRA, for all her work and support around collaboration between the two organisations.