Documents
Agenda
Agenda Items
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
2
Named Substitutes
To receive details of any Member of the Authority nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.
3
Declarations of Interest (if any)
This item allows the Chairman to invite any Councillor to declare an interest in any of the items on this Agenda.
21
Interests declared at Minute no. 26 and 28
To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2015.
22
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 25 March 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
To inform the Committee of the current position on budgets and expenditure for 2015/16.
23
Members were informed of the current position on budgets and expenditure for 2015/16.
An ensuing discussion on the recent Government paper 'Enabling closer working between the Emergency Services' took place. Key aspects of the paper were covered. The Chief Fire Officer agreed to bring a report to the Fire Authority meeting on 8 October along with a draft response to be prepared by Group Leaders.
RESOLVED that the forecast revenue underspend of £0.2m (0.6%) be noted.
6
Quarter 1 Performance Report 2015-16
To inform the Committee of the discretionary powers of the Fire Authority under the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) Order 2014 in relation to the Firefighters Pension Scheme 2015 (2015 Scheme). It recommends decisions on the required discretions and statement of policy.
25
Members were informed of the various discretions exercisable by the Fire Authority in relation to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2015 and recommended to adopt policies in relation to these that were consistent with exisitng policies in relation to the firefighters Pension Scheme 1992 and 2006.
RESOLVED that:
(i) approval be granted for the discretions detailed in the Statement of Policy (attached at Appendix 1 to these minutes) for:
a. active membership
b. pensionable pay
c. contributions during absence from work due to illness, injury, trade dispute or authorised absence
(ii) the Chief Fire Officer be delegated the discretions detailed in Appendix 2 to these minutes.
To inform Members of the requirement to agree and publish a policy statement on Injury Awards in accordance with Regulation 14 of the Local Government (Discretionary Payments) (Injury Allowances) Regulations 2011.
26
Cllr Phillips declared a non pecuniary interest in this item as Chairman of the LG Pension Committee and Member of the Shadow Advisory Board.
Members were informed of the requirement to agree and publish a policy statement on Injury Awards in accordance with Regulation 14 of the Local Government (Discretionary Payments) (Injury Allowances) Regulations 2011.
RESOLVED that the Committee:
(i) approve the discretions detailed in the Statement of Policy for Injury Awards, attached at Appendix 3 to these minutes; and
(ii) delegate to the Chief Fire Officer the discretions detailed in Appendix 3 to these minutes.
For the Committee to note the contents of this report, prior to publication of the Employment Monitoring Data 2014/2015 on the Service’s website.
27
Members were asked to note the contents of this report, prior to publication of the Employment Monitoring Data 2014/2015 on the Service’s website. With regard to the desire to attract a diverse workforce it was agreed that the Chief Fire Officer would provide all Members with a suitable message for possible inclusion in community newsletters and magasines.
RESOLVED that:
The Committee note the key areas highlighted in the Employment Monitoring Data Report 2014/2015 (Appendix 1) prior to publication on the Service’s website and note that:
• The Exit Interview process and form has been reviewed in order to collate quality data in relation to the reasons for staff leaving the Service.
• The “Open for All group” (previously known as the Positive Action Sub Group) is currently exploring ways to develop links with the local community and has established links with publications such as the 'Here for All' magazine within the Polish community.
• The Ethical Framework was reviewed in October 2014 and refresher training was delivered during this period. We are currently exploring ways to further embed the Ethical Framework across the Service.
To report progress regarding the provision of a new joint fire and police station in Edgar Street, Hereford, and obtain authorisation to further develop this project.
28
Cllr Baker declared an interest in this item. He informed the Committee that he sits on the Planning Committee at Herefordshire Council. Cllr Baker chose to remain in the room.
Members were informed of the progress regarding the provision of a new joint fire and police station in Edgar Street, Hereford and obtain authorisation to further develop this project.
[12:04 Cllr Udall left the room]
RESOLVED that:
i) Officers of the Service be authorised to enter into further negotiations between Herefordshire Council, West Mercia and Warwickshire Police and the Fire Authority to provide a new fire station in Hereford at a proposed site on Edgar Street; and
ii) the Chief Fire Officer in consultation with the Chairman of the Authority and the Treasurer be authorised to spend up to £75,000 on further work to take the project to planning approval stage;
iii) a further paper, including a detailed cost feasibility be brought to Policy and Resources Committee for final approval before entering into a contract for the acquisition of the site and any disposal of land.
To provide the Policy and Resources Committee with an update on the activities and items of significance from the Service’s Health and Safety Committee.
29
Members were updated on the activities and items of significance from the Service’s Health and Safety Committee.
RESOLVED that the following issues, in particular, be noted:
(i) the involvement of the Service in a number of Health and Safety initiatives at national level;
(ii) the review of asbestos management within the Service prompted by the new national agreement with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE); and
(iii) Health and Safety performance for Quarter 4 of year 2014 - 15 (Jan – Mar 2015)
To inform the Committee of the activities of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) since March 2015.
30
[12:14 Cllr Udall re-entered the room]
Members were informed of the activities of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) since March 2015.
RESOLVED that the following items currently under discussion by the Joint Consultative Committee be noted:
(i) Policy on financial assistance for medical treatment
(ii) Project Arrow Update
(iii) Staff Moves (e.g. to Hindlip)
(iv) Voluntary Redundancy
(v) Place Partnership Limited (PPL)
(vi) Logging of Pre-Arranged Overtime
(vii) Asbestos (Medicals)
(viii) Pensions Board
(ix) Parking
13
Update from the Equality and Diversity Committee
Attendance
Declarations of Interests
No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.
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