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 room before any item, in which they have a prejudicial interest, is discussed.

Members are asked to agree the non-exempt minutes, marked 3, of the Fire Authority Annual Meeting, held on 20 July 2011, 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 and note the minutes, marked 5, of the Audit and Performance Management Committee meeting, held on 8 September 2011. Members’ attention is drawn particularly to the Audit Commission’s Annual Governance report at item 9a of the minutes, a copy of which is attached, marked 5a.

This report, attached marked 6d, asks the Fire Authority to review its Protocol on Gifts and Hospitality and to decide on any changes to be made.

This report, attached marked 6c, asks the Fire Authority to review its Protocol on Member / Officer Relations, which gives guidance for Members and officers on their respective roles and expectations, and on their relationship with each other.

At its Annual Meeting in July the Fire Authority asked that a Role Description be drawn up for Member of the Strategic Risk and Planning Members’ Working Group. Accordingly a draft Role Description is attached, marked 6b, for Members’ consideration. Prior to this the draft Role Description has been circulated to members of the Working Group for comment.

The purpose of this report, marked 6a, is for Members to receive and note the amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers and Standing Orders, which were agreed at, and stand adjourned from, the Annual Meeting of the Fire Authority.

This report, attached marked 7, presents the completed Statement of Accounts to the Fire Authority for consideration and approval. As the Statement of Accounts is an extensive appendix to the report, it is not attached but can be accessed on the Fire Authority’s website at: https://www.shropshirefire.gov.uk/sites/alpha.shropshirefire.gov.uk/files/fra/07-appendix-statement-of-accounts-2010-11.pdf The document will also be available to view at the meeting.

This report, attached marked 8, asks the Fire Authority formally to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2010/11, which must be included as part of the Statement of Accounts 2010/11. It also asks Members formally to approve the Annual Governance Statement Improvement Plan 2011/12. For decision and signature by the Chair, Chief Fire Officer and Treasurer.

This report, marked 9, presents to the draft Code of Corporate Governance 2011/12 for consideration and formal adoption by the Fire Authority.

This report, attached marked 10, provides information on the financial performance of the service, and seeks approval for action, where necessary.

The report, attached marked 11, updates Members with the projections currently being used by Officers to plan future Service strategy. Members of the Strategic Risk and Planning Working Group have reviewed these figures and agreed that they should form the basis of future Service planning. The report also updates for latest information on future expenditure and income.

This report, attached marked 12, summarises the key issues raised in the White Paper ‘Open Public Services’, identifies areas where Members may wish to discuss changes ahead of any legislation and suggests comments Members may wish to make to the White Paper.

The Chief Fire Officer will provide a verbal update on progress with the new Headquarters.

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 room for the following item on the grounds that it involves 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 3 and 4.

Members are asked to agree the exempt minutes, marked 17, of the Fire Authority Annual Meeting, held on 20 July 2011, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

This report, attached marked 18, acts as supplement to the previous exempt paper to Members and offers further details concerning the Service’s business continuity strategy to protect the communities of Shropshire, Telford and the Wrekin.