Hampshire County Council
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Meetings (2024):
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Meeting
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Authority (Shadow Authority) - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 22nd September 2020
2:00 PM
Tuesday, 22nd September 2020
2:00 PM
End:
Tuesday, 22nd September 2020
6:00 PM
Tuesday, 22nd September 2020
6:00 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Tuesday, 22nd September 2020
12:00 AM
Tuesday, 22nd September 2020
12:00 AM
Finished:
Tuesday, 22nd September 2020
12:00 AM
Tuesday, 22nd September 2020
12:00 AM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
22 Sep 2020
22 Sep 2020
Location:
Virtual Teams Meeting - Microsoft Teams
Virtual Teams Meeting - Microsoft Teams
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Councillor Christopher Carter
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Jason Fazackarley
Portsmouth City Council
Apologies
Committee Member
Councillor Geoffrey Hockley
Expected
Committee Member
Councillor Sharon Mintoff
Southampton City Council
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor David Stewart
Isle of Wight Council
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor David Simpson
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor Liz Fairhurst and Councillor Jason Fazackarley.
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 of their duty to disclose at the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they had in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest was not already entered in the Authority's register of interests, and their ability to disclose any other personal interests in any such matter that they might have wished to disclose.
3
Minutes of Previous Meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting
Attachments:
- Document Minutes 14 Sep 2020
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.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
There were no Chairman’s announcements for this meeting.
6
Member developments
To receive any updates from Members of the Authority
Minutes
There were no updates from Members for this meeting.
7
BUDGET SETTING 2021/22 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLANNING
To consider a report from the Treasurer, which lays out the plans to develop important documents and request that the Shadow Authority provide provisional guidance for future funding assumptions. It also provides some initial information in respect of the impact of Covid-19 on budget setting for next year.
Attachments:
- Document Budget Report and Appendices 14 Sep 2020
Minutes
The Shadow Authority considered a report from the Treasurer (item 7 in the minute book), which requested provisional guidance for future funding assumptions. It also provided some initial information in respect of the impact of Covid-19 on budget setting for next year.
The officer summarised the report and highlighted how it was anticipated that there would be a requirement for savings over the coming years. These would be drawn up to ensure that budget reductions could be made as required, together with the previously agreed principle that the Combined Fire Authority (CFA) would use reserves or reduce contributions to reserves to balance the budget in the first year.
Appendix A to the report provided an early indication of the funding expected to be available and the expenditure required, based on the currently available information. At the moment, this represented a ‘normal’ roll forward of the combined budgets for HFRA and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (IWFRS), although it did include proposed base budget changes or new spending some of which have been previously agreed by HFRA, which were contained in Appendix B to the report.
During questions, Members noted that paragraph 40 of the report stated that a proportion of the Isle of Wight’s actual reserves would be transferred, but could be impacted by the need to deal with Covid-19 financial pressures. The officer confirmed that the CFA expected 100% of the earmarked reserves and 4-5% of general balances held by the Isle of Wight.
It was assumed that the net cost of pensions would continue along with the grant available to assist with them, otherwise many Fire Service’s would be put in financial turmoil.
It was noted that Appendix C included the £3.5 million allocated for the Warsash training facility, however that was subject to the final arrangements for the facility.
RESOLVED
The Shadow Authority:
a) Approved that for financial planning purposes only, the assumption that council tax will be increased by the maximum allowed within the referendum limit set by Government, currently expected to be 1.99% for the 2021/22 budget.
b) Noted the ‘base’ position for the combined roll forward budget as set out in Appendix A.
c) Approved the base changes and adjustments in Appendix B.
d) Noted the updated Capital Programme and funding as set out in Appendix C
The officer summarised the report and highlighted how it was anticipated that there would be a requirement for savings over the coming years. These would be drawn up to ensure that budget reductions could be made as required, together with the previously agreed principle that the Combined Fire Authority (CFA) would use reserves or reduce contributions to reserves to balance the budget in the first year.
Appendix A to the report provided an early indication of the funding expected to be available and the expenditure required, based on the currently available information. At the moment, this represented a ‘normal’ roll forward of the combined budgets for HFRA and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (IWFRS), although it did include proposed base budget changes or new spending some of which have been previously agreed by HFRA, which were contained in Appendix B to the report.
During questions, Members noted that paragraph 40 of the report stated that a proportion of the Isle of Wight’s actual reserves would be transferred, but could be impacted by the need to deal with Covid-19 financial pressures. The officer confirmed that the CFA expected 100% of the earmarked reserves and 4-5% of general balances held by the Isle of Wight.
It was assumed that the net cost of pensions would continue along with the grant available to assist with them, otherwise many Fire Service’s would be put in financial turmoil.
It was noted that Appendix C included the £3.5 million allocated for the Warsash training facility, however that was subject to the final arrangements for the facility.
RESOLVED
The Shadow Authority:
a) Approved that for financial planning purposes only, the assumption that council tax will be increased by the maximum allowed within the referendum limit set by Government, currently expected to be 1.99% for the 2021/22 budget.
b) Noted the ‘base’ position for the combined roll forward budget as set out in Appendix A.
c) Approved the base changes and adjustments in Appendix B.
d) Noted the updated Capital Programme and funding as set out in Appendix C
8
BRANDING - NEW SERVICE IDENTITY
To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which asks the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Shadow Authority to approve a new joint branding approach.
Attachments:
- Document Report and Appendix 14 Sep 2020
Minutes
The Shadow Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 8 in the minute book) regarding a combined brand identity that had been put out to staff for consultation and had since been amended following feedback from the workforce.
To reduce costs, it was proposed to introduce the new brand gradually to fit in with the timescales of planned upgrades and replacements across the Service. Station branding and digital imagery was a priority and vehicles would be wrapped with the new branding over the first year in line with testing and servicing carried out.
During questions, officers reassured that testing had been carried out with regards to accessibility and visual impairment and the contrasts in colour and design within the logo met the requirements.
RESOLVED
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Shadow Authority approve the new joint branding approach as in Appendix A of the report.
To reduce costs, it was proposed to introduce the new brand gradually to fit in with the timescales of planned upgrades and replacements across the Service. Station branding and digital imagery was a priority and vehicles would be wrapped with the new branding over the first year in line with testing and servicing carried out.
During questions, officers reassured that testing had been carried out with regards to accessibility and visual impairment and the contrasts in colour and design within the logo met the requirements.
RESOLVED
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Shadow Authority approve the new joint branding approach as in Appendix A of the report.
9
PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (POD) POLICY
To consider a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which asks Members to approve the People and Organisational Development (POD) Policy principles for the new Combined Fire Authority (CFA), for consultation with Representative Bodies (RBs), Trade Unions (TUs) and staff.
Attachments:
- Document Report 14 Sep 2020
- Document Appendix A 14 Sep 2020
Minutes
The Shadow Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 9 in the minute book), which set out the commitment and vision for HIWFRA to staff.
It contained guiding principles that would govern all working practices by HIWFRA and the suite of HR procedures would sit beneath the overarching People and Organisational Development (POD) Policy.
The Policy would be used with staff discussions going forward as part of the CFA and managing staff and contractual arrangements along with development, opportunities, wellbeing and cultural aspects.
Members were happy with the report and there were no questions.
RESOLVED
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Shadow Authority approved Option 1 – the new People and Organisational Development (POD) Policy Principles for HIWFRA, for consultation with Representative Bodies, Trade Unions and staff.
It contained guiding principles that would govern all working practices by HIWFRA and the suite of HR procedures would sit beneath the overarching People and Organisational Development (POD) Policy.
The Policy would be used with staff discussions going forward as part of the CFA and managing staff and contractual arrangements along with development, opportunities, wellbeing and cultural aspects.
Members were happy with the report and there were no questions.
RESOLVED
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Shadow Authority approved Option 1 – the new People and Organisational Development (POD) Policy Principles for HIWFRA, for consultation with Representative Bodies, Trade Unions and staff.
10
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
Members queried why the following item was exempt and it was confirmed that whilst the exemption partly applied to information since removed from the report, there was still sensitive financial and other information included and potential for discussions and questions to include information that could hinder future business transactions.
The decision went to a vote, with the majority voting to go into exempt session.
It was then resolved 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 the 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.
The decision went to a vote, with the majority voting to go into exempt session.
It was then resolved 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 the 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.
11
CFA/IWFRS ESTATES IMPROVEMENT
To consider an exempt report from the Chief Fire Officer regarding estates improvements.
Attachments:
- Document Report 14 Sep 2020
Minutes
The Shadow Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 11 in the minute book), [SEE EXEMPT MINUTE]
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