To consider Report CFO/002/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning how the Authority, plans to align its physical assets with its corporate plan and strategic objectives over the next 5 years (2020/21 – 2024/25).                  

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

Members considered Report CFO/002/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning how the Authority plans to align its physical assets with its corporate plan and strategic objectives, over the next 5 years (2020/21 – 2024/25).

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

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted that the Asset Management Plans cover 3 areas – Property, ICT, and Transport; and are integral to the budget setting process.

With regards to the Property Asset Management Plan, the property aims and objectives were highlighted to Members, which include providing:

·         Excellent facilities to meet operational response requirements

·         Excellent facilities to support prevention and protection working the community

·         Excellent facilities which are resilient and adaptable

·         Buildings which are fit for purpose and provide a healthy environment for all our employees and stakeholders

·         Value for money property solutions, maximising space utilisation by exploring opportunities for collaboration with partners and other similar authorities

·         Sustainable, environmental and energy considerate sites

·         Safe sites, maintained in good condition, and compliant with current legislation

·         Sites which are accessible to all and compliant with the Equalities Act 2010

·         BREEAM standard of “very good” for all new builds.

In relation to the ICT Asset Management Plan, Members were advised that it can be split into six key delivery areas, as follows:

·         The ICT infrastructure

·         Commodity applications which run on the ICT infrastructure

·         Fire Control applications which run on the ICT infrastructure

·         Financial applications which run on the ICT infrastructure

·         Corporate applications which run on the ICT infrastructure

·         The ICT Service Desk

With regards to the Transport Asset Management, the following 6 key objectives were highlighted to Members:

·         To support MFRS aims and objectives

·         To ensure the most efficient support and use of transport resources

·         To maintain the appropriate levels of operational capability

·         To reduce costs and offer value for money

·         To maintain a level of flexibility to adjust to the changing demands of MFRS

·         To facilitate the long term planning of transport assets

·         To make provision for a long term sustainable environmentally friendly solution for the MFRA fleet.

With regards to transport, Members commented around the use of fully electric vehicles and potential use of the increased number of on street charging points.

Members were advised that this will be progressed, although the challenge at the moment, is around the broader infrastructure to support those developments. However Members were assured that considerations around electric vehicles, remain a high priority when refreshing our fleet.

Further questions were raised by Members with regards to the Property Asset Management Plan, specifically around two properties identified within the plan, which are both over 100 years old, with Members asking about the purpose of those buildings; and whether officers are content with the condition of them. 

Members were advised that with regards to the Cable Street Garage site, the site was purchased by MFRA and the garage was demolished in order to build accommodation for LLAR staff working at Formby Community Fire Station. With regards to the Old Stores site, Members were advised that this is a small area adjacent to Aintree Fire Station, which is still in MFRA’s ownership and is currently being used for storage; although it could be disposed of if Members were minded to do so.

Members Resolved that:

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