Meeting Details

Members are reminded that they should declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests at this point and that they should leave the meeting before any item, in which they have a prejudicial interest, is discussed.

To agree the non-exempt minutes of the Fire Authority meeting, held on 20 December 2006, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To receive any questions, statements or petitions, of which notice has been received, from members of the public.

To receive the non-exempt minutes of the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting, held on 25 January 2007. Attached marked 5. Reports 7, 8 and 9 from that meeting are attached (on green paper) as appendices to the minutes.

To receive the minutes of the West Midlands Regional Management Board (WMRMB) Special Meeting, held on 1 December 2006, and agree the recommendations at items 58/06 (a number of these recommendations were considered, and agreed, by the Fire Authority at its meeting on 20 December 2006).

This report advises the Fire Authority of the need to reallocate seats on its committees to political groups, following by-elections at Shropshire County Council. The report also asks the Fire Authority to agree the proposed increase in membership of its Standards Committee from 5 to 6 Members.

On 22 January the Department for Communities and Local Government published a consultation paper seeking views on a draft new Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members. This report summarises the more significant changes proposed and asks the Fire Authority to delegate authority to its Chair, the Chair of its Standards Committee and its Clerk and Monitoring Officer to respond to the consultation on its behalf.

The Member Champion for Learning and Development, Councillor Davies, will give his first presentation to the Fire Authority. For information

The Member Champion for Business Risk Management and Audit, Councillor Tandy, will give his first presentation to the Fire Authority. For information

The Member Champion for Asset Management and Procurement, Councillor Lt Col Allen, will give his first presentation to the Fire Authority, which includes the Asset Management and Procurement Strategy for adoption by the Fire Authority.

This report is part of the regular monitoring process undertaken throughout the year. It details the latest position on revenue and capital budgets, recommending action where necessary, and also monitors the Fire Authority's Prudential Indicators.

This report presents the capital programme, as recommended by the Strategy and Resources Committee, in the context of Prudential Guidelines.

This report seeks Fire Authority approval to: a budget for 2007/08; Council Tax levels for 2007/08; and Precepts on billing authorities and related matters.

This report informs Members about the proposed agreement with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority to provide shared Gold Command cover across the West Mercia Local Resilience Forum area.

This report informs Members of the progress of the Retained Review Implementation Project.

The papers relating to the setting up of the Local Authority Controlled Company are now with Companies House. Discussions are underway with the Fire Control Board concerning insurance, legal and management issues of the new company. Discussions have also taken place concerning the funding for convergence, which has been received recently (£84,568 for 2006/07 and £129,163 for 2007/08) and how to take the project forward within a regional or sub-regional context with this grant funding. Suggestions about the West Midlands Region moving forward in the 'roll out' order have been refuted by the National Project Team, although the Region will be employing its regional Control Centre Director along with the first wave regions. There are no firmer facts to report at present. Officers will keep Members updated as new information is made available. Agenda paragraph only. For information

This report sets out the Fire Authority's statutory responsibilities to prepare and publish an annual best value performance plan. The report also identifies other related performance issues to be considered in the preparation of the performance plan. Most notably, this includes the necessity to identify by no later than 31 March 2007 improvement priorities resulting from the recent Performance Framework assessments.

This report summarises key areas of the Audit Commission's proposals for the review of fire and rescue authorities during 2007/08, together with proposals for Comprehensive Performance Assessment re-categorisation.

To consider a resolution under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined by the provisions of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act, by virtue of paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7.

(Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7) To agree the exempt minutes of the Fire Authority meeting, held on 20 December 2006, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record. Attached marked 22. For decision

(Paragraphs 3 and 4) To receive the exempt minutes of the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting, held on 25 January 2007. Attached marked 24. For information