Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2025):
165
Meetings (2024):
156
Meeting
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
10:30 AM
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
10:30 AM
End:
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
2:30 PM
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
2:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
05 Feb 2025
05 Feb 2025
Location:
Room X - Hampshire & IOW Fire & Police HQ, Eastleigh
Room X - Hampshire & IOW Fire & Police HQ, Eastleigh
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Councillor Karen Lucioni
Liberal Democrat, Independent and Labour Group for HIWFRA (Isle of Wight Council)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor George Madgwick
Liberal Democrat, Independent and Labour Group for HIWFRA (Portsmouth City Council)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Sally Goodfellow
Liberal Democrat, Independent and Labour for HIWFRA (Southampton City Council)
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor Fran Carpenter and also Donna Jones, Police & Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
2
Declarations of Interest
To enable Members to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest is not already entered in the Authority’s register of interests, and any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members may wish to disclose.
Minutes
Members were mindful to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest was not already entered in the Authority’s register of interests, along with any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members wished to disclose.
3
Minutes of Previous Meeting
To approve the open minutes from the Full Authority meeting that took place on 17 December 2024.
Attachments:
- Document 2024-12-17 HIWFRA DRAFT Open Minutes 28 Jan 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.
4
Deputations
Pursuant to Standing Order 19, to receive any deputations to this meeting
Minutes
There were no deputations for the meeting.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman shared that St Mary’s Fire Station had joined up with the nearby St Mary’s Church to support their ‘Love Christmas’ campaign, which delivered 1600 hampers to families in need across Southampton.
Members shared the Chairman’s congratulations following a firefighter graduation ceremony that that taken place on 19 December and welcomed the Southsea Fire Station’s Senior Citizen show on the 19 January, which had been a bit success. The Chairman was pleased to confirm that Ryde Fire Station had become a wholetime crewed station on 1 January offering a 24/7 response.
In wider news, the Service was currently consulting on the way it responded to automated fire alarms in commercial properties. It was also shared that Councils had given their support for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to be included in the Government fast-track plans to bring devolution to the area, with the potential to drawing up plans for a single Combined Authority with an elected Mayor if approved.
Members shared the Chairman’s congratulations following a firefighter graduation ceremony that that taken place on 19 December and welcomed the Southsea Fire Station’s Senior Citizen show on the 19 January, which had been a bit success. The Chairman was pleased to confirm that Ryde Fire Station had become a wholetime crewed station on 1 January offering a 24/7 response.
In wider news, the Service was currently consulting on the way it responded to automated fire alarms in commercial properties. It was also shared that Councils had given their support for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to be included in the Government fast-track plans to bring devolution to the area, with the potential to drawing up plans for a single Combined Authority with an elected Mayor if approved.
6
Member Developments
To receive any updates from Members of the Authority.
Minutes
Members provided the following updates:
- Councillor David Drew has attended the graduation ceremony on the 19 December
- Councillor George Madgwick shared that good progress was being made with land registry at Cosham Fire Station
- Councillor Derek Mellor had attended the graduation ceremony on the 19 December
- Councillor Roger Price had attended the graduation ceremony on the 19 December as well as a Firefighter Pensions meeting in London
- Councillor Zoe Huggins had attended the graduation ceremony on the 19 December as well as a Policy & Organisation meeting on the delivery plan, lead activities and milestones. Councillor Huggins had also met with officers on the training and apprenticeships programme.
- Councillor Sally Goodfellow had attended a meeting with the prevention team to discuss the concerns of residents in relation to some of the Grenfell Inquiry outcomes.
- Councillor David Drew has attended the graduation ceremony on the 19 December
- Councillor George Madgwick shared that good progress was being made with land registry at Cosham Fire Station
- Councillor Derek Mellor had attended the graduation ceremony on the 19 December
- Councillor Roger Price had attended the graduation ceremony on the 19 December as well as a Firefighter Pensions meeting in London
- Councillor Zoe Huggins had attended the graduation ceremony on the 19 December as well as a Policy & Organisation meeting on the delivery plan, lead activities and milestones. Councillor Huggins had also met with officers on the training and apprenticeships programme.
- Councillor Sally Goodfellow had attended a meeting with the prevention team to discuss the concerns of residents in relation to some of the Grenfell Inquiry outcomes.
7
Budget & Precept Requirements 2025/26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan)
To receive a report from the Chief Financial Officer presenting the 2025/26 forward budget to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority for approval. The report also includes the Medium Term Financial Plan covering the period 2025/26 – 2028/29.
Attachments:
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Cover Report 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Appendix A1 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Appendix A2 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Appendix B 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Appendix C1 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Appendix D 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Appendix E 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Appendix F 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Appendix G 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan - Appendix H 28 Jan 2025
- Document Budget and Precept Requirements 2025-26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan) - Addendum 28 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Authority considered a report from the Chief Financial Officer (item 7 in the minute book), which presented the 2025/26 forward budget and Medium Term Financial Plan covering 2025/26 – 2028/29.
The report was summarised and it was highlighted that an addendum to Annexes 1-3 and the recommendations had been circulated and published online.
During questions on the report, Members heard that:
· With regards to the National Operational Guidance and shared team, it was felt that sharing costs across all four networked Services was more effective.
· Officers still awaited notification of the level of grant for Fire Pensions.
· The sustainability of the 2.99% increase longer term would be further investigated going forward so see whether more prudent planning was needed to accommodate.
· Information to communities on spending was kept to a digital format as much as possible to reduce printing costs, and the Service worked hard at keeping effective communication on social media and through partnerships in place. Many Authorities were going paperless, but it was accepted that there were still many people who were not online and would need to be communicated to in a different way.
Councillor Roger Price proposed that a letter from the Fire Authority be sent to the LGA and Fire Minister requesting that the full cost of the National Insurance contribution pressures be covered by the promised grant rather than 50%, which was supported by the rest of the Authority.
The Chief Fire Officer enforced the challenges for the Fire Service with more spending need alongside less financial help. It was important that misinformation in the press and on social media was rebuked and thanked Members for their support as part of the Authority.
RESOLVED
1.The items listed below at paragraphs 1(a) to (b) were noted by the HIWFRA Full Authority:
(a) The 2024/25 monitoring position and forecast outturn for the year
(b) The Efficiency Plan as set out in Appendix H
2.The items listed below at paragraphs 13(a) to (n) were approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority:
(a) The Revenue Budget for 2025/26 including a draw from the Budget Equalisation Reserve of £1.813m to balance the budget, as set out in Annex 1 of the Addendum.
(b) The Revised Revenue Budget for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix A2.
(c) The contribution of unused contingencies and additional investment income of £1.838m to the Budget Equalisation Reserve.
(d) The principle that if there is an underspend at year end on the revenue budget for 2024/25 (as is currently projected) any underspend will be contributed to the Budget Equalisation Reserve with the actual amount to be confirmed and approved as part of the outturn report to the Authority.
(e) The Medium Term Financial Plan, as set out in Annex 2 to this Addendum.
(f) The Capital Programme and funding as set out in Appendix C1 and exempt
Appendix C2.
(g) The Reserves Strategy as set out in Annex 3 to this Addendum
(h) The Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26 (and the remainder of 2024/25) as set out in Appendix E
(i) That authority is delegated to the Chief Financial Officer to manage the Authority’s investments and borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate.
(j) The Capital and Investment Strategy for 2025/26 (and the remainder of 2024/25) as set out in Appendix F including the required Prudential Indicators
(k) The Section 25 Report as set out in Appendix G which should be taken into account by the Authority in agreeing the budget and council tax
(l) The council tax requirement for the Authority for the year beginning 1 April 2025 of £64,015,034
(m) The Authority’s council tax be increased by £5 (6.04%) for a Band D property for the year beginning 1 April 2025 and that the Authority’s council tax for the year beginning 2025/26 for properties in each tax band will therefore be:
Band Council Tax Rate Band Council Tax Rate
Band A £58.56 Band E £107.36
Band B £68.32 Band F £126.88
Band C £78.08 Band G £146.40
Band D £87.84 Band H £175.68
(n) The precepts totalling £64,015,034 are issued on the billing authorities in Hampshire and Isle of Wight as set out below, requiring the payment in such instalments and on such dates set by them and previously notified to the Authority, in proportion to the tax base of each billing authority’s area as determined by them:
Billing Authority £
Basingstoke 6,151,025
East Hampshire 4,640,001
Eastleigh 4,354,783
Fareham 3,917,348
Gosport 2,379,278
Hart 3,783,459
Havant 3,790,068
New Forest 6,443,503
Rushmoor 2,934,784
Test Valley 4,603,431
Winchester 4,821,230
Portsmouth 5,212,426
Southampton 5,915,585
Isle of Wight 5,068,113
Total 64,015,034
o) That a letter be written to the LGA and Fire Minister Dame Diana Johson requesting that 100% of the grant be provided to cover additional National Insurance pressures.
The report was summarised and it was highlighted that an addendum to Annexes 1-3 and the recommendations had been circulated and published online.
During questions on the report, Members heard that:
· With regards to the National Operational Guidance and shared team, it was felt that sharing costs across all four networked Services was more effective.
· Officers still awaited notification of the level of grant for Fire Pensions.
· The sustainability of the 2.99% increase longer term would be further investigated going forward so see whether more prudent planning was needed to accommodate.
· Information to communities on spending was kept to a digital format as much as possible to reduce printing costs, and the Service worked hard at keeping effective communication on social media and through partnerships in place. Many Authorities were going paperless, but it was accepted that there were still many people who were not online and would need to be communicated to in a different way.
Councillor Roger Price proposed that a letter from the Fire Authority be sent to the LGA and Fire Minister requesting that the full cost of the National Insurance contribution pressures be covered by the promised grant rather than 50%, which was supported by the rest of the Authority.
The Chief Fire Officer enforced the challenges for the Fire Service with more spending need alongside less financial help. It was important that misinformation in the press and on social media was rebuked and thanked Members for their support as part of the Authority.
RESOLVED
1.The items listed below at paragraphs 1(a) to (b) were noted by the HIWFRA Full Authority:
(a) The 2024/25 monitoring position and forecast outturn for the year
(b) The Efficiency Plan as set out in Appendix H
2.The items listed below at paragraphs 13(a) to (n) were approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority:
(a) The Revenue Budget for 2025/26 including a draw from the Budget Equalisation Reserve of £1.813m to balance the budget, as set out in Annex 1 of the Addendum.
(b) The Revised Revenue Budget for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix A2.
(c) The contribution of unused contingencies and additional investment income of £1.838m to the Budget Equalisation Reserve.
(d) The principle that if there is an underspend at year end on the revenue budget for 2024/25 (as is currently projected) any underspend will be contributed to the Budget Equalisation Reserve with the actual amount to be confirmed and approved as part of the outturn report to the Authority.
(e) The Medium Term Financial Plan, as set out in Annex 2 to this Addendum.
(f) The Capital Programme and funding as set out in Appendix C1 and exempt
Appendix C2.
(g) The Reserves Strategy as set out in Annex 3 to this Addendum
(h) The Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26 (and the remainder of 2024/25) as set out in Appendix E
(i) That authority is delegated to the Chief Financial Officer to manage the Authority’s investments and borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate.
(j) The Capital and Investment Strategy for 2025/26 (and the remainder of 2024/25) as set out in Appendix F including the required Prudential Indicators
(k) The Section 25 Report as set out in Appendix G which should be taken into account by the Authority in agreeing the budget and council tax
(l) The council tax requirement for the Authority for the year beginning 1 April 2025 of £64,015,034
(m) The Authority’s council tax be increased by £5 (6.04%) for a Band D property for the year beginning 1 April 2025 and that the Authority’s council tax for the year beginning 2025/26 for properties in each tax band will therefore be:
Band Council Tax Rate Band Council Tax Rate
Band A £58.56 Band E £107.36
Band B £68.32 Band F £126.88
Band C £78.08 Band G £146.40
Band D £87.84 Band H £175.68
(n) The precepts totalling £64,015,034 are issued on the billing authorities in Hampshire and Isle of Wight as set out below, requiring the payment in such instalments and on such dates set by them and previously notified to the Authority, in proportion to the tax base of each billing authority’s area as determined by them:
Billing Authority £
Basingstoke 6,151,025
East Hampshire 4,640,001
Eastleigh 4,354,783
Fareham 3,917,348
Gosport 2,379,278
Hart 3,783,459
Havant 3,790,068
New Forest 6,443,503
Rushmoor 2,934,784
Test Valley 4,603,431
Winchester 4,821,230
Portsmouth 5,212,426
Southampton 5,915,585
Isle of Wight 5,068,113
Total 64,015,034
o) That a letter be written to the LGA and Fire Minister Dame Diana Johson requesting that 100% of the grant be provided to cover additional National Insurance pressures.
8
HIWFRA Safety Plan 2025-2030
To receive a report seeking Fire Authority approval of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) Safety Plan which will cover the period 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2030.
Attachments:
- Document HIWFRA Safety Plan 2025-2030 28 Jan 2025
- Document HIWFRA Safety Plan 2025-2030 - Appendix A 28 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 8 in the minute book), which sought approval of the HIWFRS Safety Plan covering 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2030.
The report was summarised and it was highlighted that 35% more responses to the consultation compared to the previous one, which was well received by the Authority.
During questions on the report, Members heard that:
· The Safety Plan would be available on the HIWFRS website, but a small number of printed copies would also be available and the availability at libraries would also be looked at.
· The increased risk of flooding had been included and the Service would continue to work closely with partners going forward on mitigation.
· If approved, a link to the published plan would be circulated to all Members on the Authority, County Councillors, the Lord Lieutenant and Police and Crime Commissioner for information.
Members thanked officers for their work on the plan.
RESOLVED
a) The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority approved the HIWFRS
Safety Plan for 2025–2030.
b) The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority approved the proposed
implementation and reporting framework for the Safety Plan 2025–2030.
The report was summarised and it was highlighted that 35% more responses to the consultation compared to the previous one, which was well received by the Authority.
During questions on the report, Members heard that:
· The Safety Plan would be available on the HIWFRS website, but a small number of printed copies would also be available and the availability at libraries would also be looked at.
· The increased risk of flooding had been included and the Service would continue to work closely with partners going forward on mitigation.
· If approved, a link to the published plan would be circulated to all Members on the Authority, County Councillors, the Lord Lieutenant and Police and Crime Commissioner for information.
Members thanked officers for their work on the plan.
RESOLVED
a) The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority approved the HIWFRS
Safety Plan for 2025–2030.
b) The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority approved the proposed
implementation and reporting framework for the Safety Plan 2025–2030.
9
HIWFRA Policy Framework- Corporate Governance Policy and Review of Position Statements
To receive a report from the Chief Fire Officer seeking the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority’s approval of the Corporate Governance Policy for inclusion within the Authority’s Policy Framework.
Attachments:
- Document HIWFRA Policy Framework - Corporate Governance Policy and Review of Position Statements 28 Jan 2025
- Document HIWFRA Policy Framework - Corporate Governance Policy and Review of Position Statements - Appendix A 28 Jan 2025
- Document HIWFRA Policy Framework - Corporate Governance Policy and Review of Position Statements - Appendix B 28 Jan 2025
- Document HIWFRA Policy Framework - Corporate Governance Policy and Review of Position Statements - Appendix C 28 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 9 in the minute book), which was the last of a series of report looking at policies and frameworks within the Service.
The report was summarised and it was highlighted that paragraph 37 should refer to Appendix C rather than Appendix B.
During questions, Members heard that:
· The installation of sprinklers in domestic dwellings would be looked at again at a future APAG meeting.
· Policy couldn’t be set for the Blue Lamp Trust, but the Service could ask them to consider adopting the fire safety advice if felt suitable.
RESOLVED
a) The Corporate Governance Policy (Appendix A) was approved by the
HIWFRA Authority for inclusion into the Authority’s Policy Framework.
b)The three policies (Risk Management Policy, the Anti-Theft, Fraud,
Bribery and Corruption Policy, and the Sponsorship, Charity Support and
Partnerships Policy) were removed from the Authority’s Policy Framework, and the Corporate Governance Policy was approved by HIWFRA Full Authority.
c) The minor amendment to the Position Statement for Sprinklers
(Appendix B) that forms part of the Protection Policy was approved by the
HIWFRA Full Authority, noting it would be discussed at a future APAG meeting.
d) The minor amendment to the Position Statement for Fire Safety Advice
(Appendix C) that forms part of the Protection Policy was approved by the
HIWFRA Full Authority.
e) The minor amendments to the Constitution as described at paragraphs
40, 41, and 42 were approved by HIWFRA Full Authority to align with the recent updates to the Authority’s Policy Framework and reference to
superseded policies was removed.
The report was summarised and it was highlighted that paragraph 37 should refer to Appendix C rather than Appendix B.
During questions, Members heard that:
· The installation of sprinklers in domestic dwellings would be looked at again at a future APAG meeting.
· Policy couldn’t be set for the Blue Lamp Trust, but the Service could ask them to consider adopting the fire safety advice if felt suitable.
RESOLVED
a) The Corporate Governance Policy (Appendix A) was approved by the
HIWFRA Authority for inclusion into the Authority’s Policy Framework.
b)The three policies (Risk Management Policy, the Anti-Theft, Fraud,
Bribery and Corruption Policy, and the Sponsorship, Charity Support and
Partnerships Policy) were removed from the Authority’s Policy Framework, and the Corporate Governance Policy was approved by HIWFRA Full Authority.
c) The minor amendment to the Position Statement for Sprinklers
(Appendix B) that forms part of the Protection Policy was approved by the
HIWFRA Full Authority, noting it would be discussed at a future APAG meeting.
d) The minor amendment to the Position Statement for Fire Safety Advice
(Appendix C) that forms part of the Protection Policy was approved by the
HIWFRA Full Authority.
e) The minor amendments to the Constitution as described at paragraphs
40, 41, and 42 were approved by HIWFRA Full Authority to align with the recent updates to the Authority’s Policy Framework and reference to
superseded policies was removed.
10
Annual Pay Policy Statement
To receive a report of the Chief Fire Officer for consideration and approval of the Pay Policy Statement in accordance with Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011 (openness and accountability in local pay).
Attachments:
- Document Annual Pay Policy Statement 28 Jan 2025
- Document Annual Pay Policy Statement - Appendix A 28 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 10 in the minute book), which presented the Annual Pay Policy Statement for approval and publication as required under Section 38(1)on the Localism Act 2011.
There were no questions and Members were happy with the report.
RESOLVED
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority approved the
Pay Policy Statement at Appendix A for publication on Hampshire and Isle
of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s website.
There were no questions and Members were happy with the report.
RESOLVED
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority approved the
Pay Policy Statement at Appendix A for publication on Hampshire and Isle
of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s website.
11
HIWFRA Firefighters Pension Board – Extension of Terms of Office
To consider a report from the Monitoring Officer seeking the approval for a further four-year term of office for five members of the HIWFRA Firefighters Pension Board to take effect on 1 April 2025.
Attachments:
- Document HIWFRA Firefighters Pension Board - Extension of Terms of Office 28 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Authority considered a report from the Monitoring Officer (item 11 in the minute book), which sought approval for a further four-year term of office for five Members of the HIWFRA Firefighters Pension Board to take effect on 1 April 2025.
Members thanked those on the Firefighters Pension Board for their work and welcomed the proposals.
RESOLVED
A further four-year term of office was approved for each of the Pension
Board members listed in paragraph 6 of the report be approved by the
HIWFRA Full Authority as follows:
• Richard Scarth
• Sean Harrison
• Richard North
• Ross Singleton
• Cllr Roger Price
Members thanked those on the Firefighters Pension Board for their work and welcomed the proposals.
RESOLVED
A further four-year term of office was approved for each of the Pension
Board members listed in paragraph 6 of the report be approved by the
HIWFRA Full Authority as follows:
• Richard Scarth
• Sean Harrison
• Richard North
• Ross Singleton
• Cllr Roger Price
12
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the reports.
Minutes
It was agreed that the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business, as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the reports.
13
Budget & Precept Requirements 2025/26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan) - EXEMPT APPENDIX
To consider an exempt appendix to Item 7, Budget & Precept Requirements 2025/26 (including Medium Term Financial Plan).
Attachments:
Previous Meetings
Future Meetings
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