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.

Members are asked to agree the minutes of the Fire Authority meeting, held on 17 October 2007, 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.

This report informs Members of the forthcoming changes to the ethical framework that applies to elected Members and seeks permission to undertake work to ensure compliance with the new procedures contained in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

This report seeks agreement to the additional amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers and Standing Orders for the Regulation of Proceedings and Business, which stand adjourned from the last meeting of the Fire Authority, following the further review requested by Members at the Annual Meeting.

In view of recent changes in the Councillors acting as various Member Champions and the illness of another there will be no presentations to this meeting. Furthermore, the Fire Authority is asked to consider whether the presentations should be made annually as opposed to every six months, which would in turn reduce the number to be made at each meeting.

Members are asked to receive and note the minutes of the Standards Committee meeting, held on 29 October 2007.

Members are asked to receive and note the minutes of the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting, held on 15 November 2007. Please note that the reports considered by the Committee at item 5 (2008/09 to 2009/10 Revenue and Capital Budgets) are contained within the green booklet (attached as an appendix to report 14d 2008/09 to 2010/11 Summary and Options) and will form the basis of discussion at item 14 on this agenda.

Members are asked to receive the minutes of the Audit and Performance Management Committee meeting, held on 22 November 2007, and agree the recommendations at items 5 and 6.

Members are asked to receive the minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting, held on 6 December 2007 and agree the recommendations at items 6, 7 and 10.

Members are asked to receive the minutes of the West Midlands Regional Management Board (WMRMB) meeting, held on 25 October 2007, attached marked 12, and agree the recommendations at items 36/07,37/07 and 39/07. For decision The individual reports relating to all of the above recommendations can be found on the WMRMB website at: http://www.wmrmb.co.uk/about-wmrmb/meetings/public/2007-10-25-wmrmb.htm If you require a hard copy of any of these documents, please contact Lynn Ince, Management Support Officer, at Brigade Headquarters on 01743 260225.

This report updates Members on progress with implementation of the actions in the 2007/08 Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) Action Plan. It advises Members of the outcome of an extensive, three-month period of consultation on the Fire Authority's draft IRMP Action Plan for 2008/09, and recommends changes to these documents as a result of that consultation. In addition, it seeks approval for the IRMP Members' Working Group to progress the 2008/09 IRMP process to the implementation phase.

This report updates the capital programmes which were presented to the Strategy and Resources Committee in November, for more recent information.

This report sets out potential service developments that have been identified for the three years of the Public Spending Review. It also deals with efficiencies and service reductions.

This report summarises the budget situation so far. It presents the various options for further consideration and consultation during January, leading to a final decision by the Authority on 13 February 2008. Copies of the Strategy and Resources Committee reports 5 and 5a to 5e (in the green booklet) are attached for information.

This report provides detail to the Fire Authority about the number and nature of special services requested by the public, and reviews the current tariff for consistency with other brigades, both regionally and nationally.

This report brings to the attention of Members the recently issued Fire and Rescue Service National Framework 2008-11, together the supplementary Equality and Diversity Strategy.

This report appraises Members of progress with the current staff exchange programme facilitated through the European Commission's Lifelong Learning Programme and sets out proposals for further Member/staff development opportunities during 2008/09.

This report advises Members of the dates already agreed and proposed for meetings of the Fire Authority and its Committees for 2008 and 2009.