Meeting Details

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter, in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members are asked to agree the non-exempt minutes, attached marked 3, of the Fire Authority meeting, held on 11 December 2013, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Members are asked to receive any questions, statements or petitions, of which notice has been received, from members of the public.

Members are asked to receive the minutes of the Audit and Performance Management Committee meeting, held on 27 September 2013, attached marked 5.

Members are asked to receive and note the non-exempt minutes of the Brigade Managers’ Employment Panel meetings, held on 9 January and 6 February 2014, attached marked 6a and 6b. Recommendations made by the Panel at those meetings are contained in exempt report 12c, Process for the Recruitment of Deputy Chief Fire Officer, which will be considered in closed session.

Members are asked to receive the non-exempt minutes of the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting, held on 6 February 2014, attached marked 7, and consider, and decide upon, the recommendations at items 5, 8 and 9. The reports relating to those items are attached, marked 7a, 7b and 7c. The recommendations at items 6 and 7 of the Committee minutes will be considered as part of items 13 and 15 on the agenda for this meeting. Please note that the appendix to paper 7b (Capital Programmes 2014/15 to 2018/19 and Prudential Guidelines) is an exempt document. It will, therefore, be necessary to move into closed session at this point to consider the recommendation relating to this appendix (paper 9).

Members are asked 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 12(A) to the Act, by virtue of Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3.

Members are asked to receive and agree the paper Capital Programmes 2014/15 to 2018/19 and Prudential Guidelines (the appendix to paper 7b), attached marked 9.

Members are asked to receive the exempt minutes of the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting, held on 6 February 2014, attached marked 11.

Members are asked to receive and note the exempt minutes of the Brigade Managers’ Employment Panel meetings, held on 9 January and 6 February 2014, attached marked 12a and 12b. Recommendations made by the Panel at those meetings are contained in report 12c Process for the Recruitment of Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

This report, attached marked 12c, asks the Fire Authority to consider and approve the recommendations of its Brigade Managers’ Employment Panel regarding the process for recruitment of a Deputy Chief Fire Officer. At this point the meeting will revert to open session.

This report, attached marked 13, incorporates the recommendations made by the Fire Authority’s Strategy and Resources Committee on 6 February 2014, and by the Strategic Risk and Planning Group Members’ Working Group on 12 February, in relation to the revenue budget for 2014/15. The report also confirms the use of assumptions for medium-term financial planning.

This report, attached marked 14, seeks Fire Authority approval to a budget for 2014/15; Council Tax levels for 2014/15; and precepts on billing authorities and related matters.

This report, attached marked 16, sets out proposals for the annual Service Plan 2014/15 to support the delivery of the Fire Authority’s Medium Term Corporate Plan.

This report, attached marked 17, puts forward a draft Code of Corporate Governance 2013/14 for consideration and formal adoption by the Fire Authority.

This report, attached marked 18, presents proposed increases in charges made for special services.

This report, attached marked 19, provides the proposed amendments to the current Pay Policy Statement for the consideration of the full Authority, as required under the Localism Act 2011 and in accordance with the process agreed by the Fire Authority in February 2012.

This report, attached marked 20, informs the Fire Authority of the amendments to the Firefighters’ Pensions Scheme 1992, the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 and the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme 2006. It recommends decisions on the required discretions and also general policies under each Scheme to facilitate effective implementation of those decisions.

This report, attached marked 21, advises of the work carried out by the Fire Authority’s Human Resources Committee during 2013.