Meeting documents

To elect a Chairman for 2014/15

(Councillor Dransfield presiding)

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Busby be re-elected Chairman of the Fire Authority for 2014/15.

RESOLVED –

That Councillor Busby be re-elected Chairman of the Authority for

2014/15.

(Councillor Busby in the Chair)

To appoint a Vice-Chairman for 2014/15

It was moved and seconded that Councillor Dransfield be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Fire Authority for 2014/15.

RESOLVED –

That Councillor Dransfield be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Authority for 2014/15.

To approve, and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Fire Authority held on 19 February 2014 (Item 4)

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Fire Authority held on 19 February 2014, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive the Chairman’s announcements (if any).

The Chairman welcomed the new Member Councillor Wilson to the Authority.

The Chairman announced that:

(a)  Chief Fire Officer Mark Jones was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours; this individual award and its citation reinforces how this service had developed over the last 4 years, leadership from the Chief Fire Officer combined with a commitment by the Fire Authority to challenge and adhere to its principles of great service and low cost had ensured that this Authority is one of the best in the country; and that a copy of the citation had been placed in the Members’ Library;

(b)  Denis O’Driscoll had announced his retirement after a Fire Service career spanning more than 30 years. Having started his career in London Fire Brigade in 1983 before transferring to Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes in 2006. Denis would leave the Service on the 17 August. The Chairman thanked Denis for all his hard work and dedication to this Authority and wished him and his family well for the future;

(c)         he and the Vice-Chairman, along with officers, attended the LGA Annual Fire Conference in Cardiff on the 11 and 12 March. The conference provided a range of stimulating workshops and plenaries on subjects including blue light integration, the future of fire service finance, national resilience, budgets and privatisation;

(d)        the Peer review team visited the Service on the 10-12 June 2014.During the visit the team interviewed staff from across the Service. The initial feedback received on the final day was very positive; however, the Service could always learn and get better.  The peer team would now submit a report and this would be published alongside an action plan for all to see. The Chairman thanked Group Manager Neil Boustred for his excellent work in pulling this together;

(e)         members need to inform the Director of Legal and Governance of any disclosable pecuniary interests that are not already recorded in the Authority’s register of interests within 28 days of their re-appointment.

(f)          that Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service won a prestigious award the previous night at the annual awards ceremony organised by the public risk managment association Alarm. The award was in recognition of the ambulance co-responder scheme being run in partnership with South Central Ambulance Service.

(g)        before moving on to the substantive agenda items:

·                     he would be calling upon the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) to provide an update on the meeting which he attended, convened by the Fire Minister last Friday 20 June and an update on the response which he had submitted to the "Government review into the law governing industrial disputes" and to share with the Authority the content of his recent correspondence with the Prime Minister.

·                     he would also call upon the Chief Operating Officer to update the Authority on the last two periods of industrial action on 12 and 13 June and last Saturday 21 June.

·                     he had two items of correspondence to bring to the Authority’s attention, a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To note that the Constituent Authorities have appointed the following Members to serve on the Fire Authority for 2014/15:

Buckinghamshire County Council (12)

Councillors Bendyshe-Brown, Busby, Chilver, Glover, Gomm, Huxley, Lambert, Mallen, Reed, Schofield, Vigor-Hedderly and Watson

Milton Keynes Council (5)

Councillors Dransfield, Exon, Morris, Webb and Wilson

The Authority noted that the following Members had been appointed by the Constituent Authorities to serve on the Fire Authority for 2014/15:

Buckinghamshire County Council (12)

Councillors Bendyshe-Brown, Busby, Chilver, Glover, Gomm, Huxley, Lambert, Mallen, Reed, Schofield, Vigor-Hedderly and Watson

Milton Keynes Council (5)

Councillors Dransfield, Exon, Morris, Webb and Wilson

(a)       Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

The Authority is required by the above Regulations to review the basis of allocation of seats amongst the Political Groups either at its Annual Meeting, or as soon as practicable thereafter, or following a change in its Membership.  In making its review, the Authority is required, so far as reasonably practicable, to comply with the following principles:

(i)            Not all seats on each Committee are to be allocated to the same Group.

(ii)          The majority of seats is to be allocated to a particular Group if the number of persons belonging to that Group is a majority on the Authority.

(iii)         Subject to the above paragraphs, the number of seats on the Committees allocated to each Group should bear the same proportion to the total of all the seats on the Committees as that borne by the number of Members of that Group to the Membership of the Authority.

(iv)         Subject to paragraphs (i) to (iii) above, that the number of the seats on the body which are allocated to different political groups bears the same proportion to the number of all the seats on that body as is borne by the number of members of that group to the membership of the authority.

Subject to formal notification of the Membership of each Political Group, the allocation of seats on the Authority is as follows:

Conservative Group:                                   11 seats         (64.7059%)

United Kingdom Independence Group   2 seats           (11.7647%)

Liberal Democrat Group:                            2 seats           (11.7647%)

Labour Group:                                              2 seats           (11.7647%)

The Authority is asked to note the report.

Contact Officer:        Katie Nellist (Democratic Services Officer)

– 01296 744633

Background Papers:           None

(b)       Committee Appointments

To consider making appointments to the Authority’s committees. 

Executive Committee

The Authority is asked to make appointments to the Executive Committee (8 Members).

It is recommended that the seats should be allocated as follows:

Conservative - 5

Liberal Democrat – 1

Labour - 1

United Kingdom Independence - 1

Overview and Audit Committee

The Authority is asked to make appointments to the Overview and Audit Committee (9 Members).

It is recommended that the seats should be allocated as follows:

Conservative - 6

Liberal Democrat - 1

Labour – 1

United Kingdom Independence - 1

(a)     Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990

The Authority noted that the allocation of seats on the Authority was:

(i)      Conservative Group: 11 seats (64.7059%)

(ii)     United Kingdom Independence Group 2 seats (11.7647%)

(iii)    Liberal Democrat Group: 2 seats (11.7647%)

(iv)    Labour Group: 2 seats (11.7647%)

(b)     Committee Matters – Committee Appointments

RESOLVED -

1.       That the following Committees be appointed and seats allocated, as follows:

(a)     Executive Committee (8 members):

(i)        Conservatives – 5 seats

(ii)       Liberal Democrats – 1 seat

(iii)        Labour – 1 seat

(iv)       United Kingdom Independence – 1 seat

           (b)     Overview and Audit Committee (9 members):

                             (i)      Conservatives – 6 seats

                             (ii)     Liberal Democrats – 1 seat

                             (iii)    Labour – 1 seat

                             (iii)    United Kingdom Independence – 1 seat

2.       That the following Members be appointed to the Executive Committee:

Councillors Busby, Dransfield, Gomm, Lambert, Morris, Reed, Schofield and Webb

3.       That the following Members be appointed to the Overview and Audit Committee:

Councillors Bendyshe-Brown, Chilver, Exon, Glover, Huxley, Mallen, Vigor-Hedderly, Watson and Wilson

Fire Authority

Wednesday 22 October 2014                    at 11.00am

Wednesday 17 December 2014                at 11.00am

Wednesday 25 February 2015                  at 11.00am

Wednesday 10 June 2015                         at 11.00am

Executive Committee

Wednesday 30 July 2014                           at 10.00am

Wednesday 17 September 2014               at 10.00am

Wednesday 19 November 2014                at 10.00am

Wednesday 4 February 2015                    at 10.00am

Wednesday 18 March 2015                       at 10.00am

Wednesday 13 May 2015                           at 10.00am

Overview & Audit Committee

Wednesday 16 July 2014                           at 10.00am

Wednesday 24 September 2014               at 10.00am

Wednesday 3 December 2014                  at 10.00am

Wednesday 11 March 2015                       at 10.00am

The Authority considered possible dates for its meetings and meetings of its committees during 2014/15.

RESOLVED -

1.             That meetings of the Authority be held on Wednesday 22 October 2014, 17 December 2014, Wednesday 25 February 2015 (with a proviso to change to Wednesday 18 February 2015 to be decided at the meeting on Wednesday 17 December 2014) and Wednesday 10 June 2015, all at 11 a.m.

2.             That meetings of the Executive  Committee be held on Wednesday 30 July 2014, Wednesday 17 September 2014, Wednesday 19 November 2014, Wednesday 4 February 2015, Wednesday 18 March 2015 and Wednesday 13 May 2015, all at 10 a.m.

3.             That meetings of the Overview and Audit Committee be held on Wednesday 16 July 2014, Wednesday 24 September 2014, Wednesday 3 December 2014 and Wednesday 11 March 2015, all at 10 a.m.

(a)       Local Government Association Annual Conference

To appoint 1 Member to attend as the Authority’s representative at the Local Government Association’s Annual Conference.

(b)       Local Government Association Fire Commission

To appoint 1 Member and Standing Deputy to represent the Authority at the Local Government Association’s Fire Commission.

(c)        Regional Management Board (South East Fire Improvement Partnership)

To appoint a Representative and Standing Deputy to the Regional Management Board.

(d)       Thames Valley Fire Control Service – Programme Sponsoring Group

To appoint two Representatives to the Thames Valley Fire Control Service – Programme Sponsoring Group.

The Authority considered the appointment of representatives to outside bodies:

RESOLVED –

1.            That Councillor Busby be appointed as the Authority’s representative to the Local Government Association Annual Conference.

2.            That Councillors Busby and Dransfield be appointed as the Authority’s representatives to the Local Government Association Fire Commission.

3.            That Councillor Busby be appointed as the Authority’s representative to the Regional Management Board (South East Fire Improvement Partnership), with Councillor Dransfield as deputy.

4.            That Councillors Dransfield and Reed be appointed as the Authority’s representatives on the Thames Valley Fire Control Service – Programme Sponsoring Group.

It being moved and seconded it was:

RESOLVED

5.   That discretion be delegated to the Chief Fire Officer to approve, in consultation with the Chairman, an appointee as a second Authority representative to the Local Government Association Annual Conference

To consider the allocation of Lead Member Responsibilities.  The Lead Member Responsibilities are currently as follows:

The Authority is recommended to approve the allocation of Lead Member Responsibilities.

Background Papers:           None

The Authority considered the allocation of Lead Member responsibilities.

RESOLVED –

That Members be appointed as Lead Members for 2014/15 as follows:        

Overview and Audit Committee – 12 March 2014

Review of Financial Regulations

"That the Financial Regulations as amended (Appendix A) be recommended to the Authority for approval."

The report considered by the Overview and Audit Committee is attached at item 14

Overview and Audit Committee – 12 March 2014

The Authority considered the recommendations of the Overview & Audit Committee held on 12 March 2014 relating to:

Review of Financial Regulations

The Authority noted that the Review of Financial Regulations had been scrutinised by the Overview and Audit Committee and the main changes were set out in the Executive Summary of the report. 

RESOLVED –

That the Financial Regulations as amended be approved.

To consider item 15

The Head of Service Transformation introduced the report and explained to Members that the Prevention Strategy was a foundation not just for the Corporate Plan and local plans but for the new Public Safety Plan. The new strategy was based upon the excellent work of the previous one, but it had been felt that a new strategy, rather than refreshing the old one, was more appropriate.

The Authority was advised that the new strategy gives more flexibility for people at local level to make decisions and develop their own plans to meet their community needs. Enhanced data and analysis of local areas allows campaigns to be targeted better.

The Head of Service Transformation explained the three core values of Prevention, Protection and Response. The new strategy is cognisant of the recent Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) publications in respect of community safety. The four key areas are Homes, Communities and Community Facilities, Roads and Businesses and Commercial. The main focus of the strategy was around the first three key areas. Businesses and Commercial will form part of the new Protection Strategy.

The Lead Member for Community Protection thanked the Head of Service Transformation and Group Manager Prevention and Protection Policy for their hard work in coming up with a new Strategy rather than updating the previous one.

The Head of Service Transformation also advised Members that the dates on this Strategy would be changed to align with the new Public Safety Plan so that it could be reviewed at the same time.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the Prevention Strategy 2014/15 - 2016/17 be adopted.

2.   That the commissioning of the central prevention policy department review, with the emphasis on shaping the team to facilitate and support delivery of the new Strategy be approved.

To consider item 16

The Director of People and Organisational Development advised Members that all the Authority’s support and control room staff were eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) which was administered on behalf of the Authority by Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC).

On the 1 April 2014 the scheme changed from a final salary pension scheme to a career average re-valued earnings (CARE) scheme which was governed by a variety of regulations which defines the rights and obligations of the employing authority (BMKFA), the administering authority (BCC) and the employees (scheme Members). As an employer, the Authority was required to adopt, publish and keep under review its policy on some of the available discretions. Some existing discretions are no longer available, but have been replaced with new ones. 

The Authority was required to publish a policy by 1 July 2014.

A discussion was held regarding Regulation 30(6) Flexible Retirement. Members were advised that each case would be treated on its own merit and a business case required.

It was agreed and seconded to amend the recommendation as follows:

RESOLVED:

That the Pensions Discretions Policy Statement be approved with the proviso that any discretion implemented under Regulation 30(6) LGPS Regulations 2013 be subject to the prior approval of the Executive Committee.

To consider Item 17

The Chief Fire Officer introduced the report by advising Members that unlike other Authorities the risk management consultation was not driven by cost reduction; but followed a reducing trend of risk in the communities of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. He also advised that this consultation document was populated with pre-consultation work which allowed the Authority to already know the public’s view on what was in it. Previously, the public were only asked about risk, but this time they would be given costs so they were better informed.

The Risk map showed flooding as a significant consideration for this Authority; therefore proposals would be put forward to extend our readiness and response capabilities in the important area of citizen evacuation.

The plan looked at response and showed that in some areas the Authority needed to try and better match operational capacity to incident demand.

Installation of sprinklers could help reduce the extent of fire damage and therefore protect economic investment in commercial premises and residential premises in more remote locations. Subsequently, this could help reduce demand on the Authority’s future response function.

The strategies summarised in the consultation document were good and well thought out and the Chief Fire Officer thanked his officers for their diligence and expertise. The Authority had also added a commitment to re-consult on anything which represented major change.

Member workshops and briefings would be conducted to ensure that an informed decision was taken at the Fire Authority meeting in December.

The Lead Member for Community Protection thanked the officers for their hard work and was pleased that the focus groups had brought out concerns that may have been different to what Members might have thought. The Lead Member for Community Protection was also pleased that a full consultation plan was to take place over a 12 week period; and asked Members to take the report back to their Councils and Districts to get a response from residents. The Authority was informed that an electronic copy of the consultation plan would be circulated to Members after the meeting.

RESOLVED -

1.   That the 2015-20 Public Safety Plan at Annex A for public consultation be approved.

2.   That the consultation plan at Annex B be approved.

3.   That the Chief Fire Officer be granted discretion to finalise the presentation of the 2015-20 Public Safety Plan in readiness for the consultation and to determine the consultation questions.

The Authority noted that the next meeting of the Fire Authority is to be held on Wednesday 22 October 2014 at 11.00am.

THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 12.50PM