MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 14 JULY 2003 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

Mr V J Morey (Chairman), Mr B E Abraham, Mr J R Adams, Mr C B W  Chapman, Mr A C Coburn, Mrs B E Foster, Mrs B Lawson, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mr R C Richards (deputising for Mrs M J Miller) Mr I R Stephens,

Apologies :

Mrs M J Miller, Mr A A Taylor

Portfolio Holder :

Mr D J Knowles

Also Present (non voting) :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham

12.      MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2003 be confirmed.

13.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made at this stage.

14.      BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF MAY 2003

The Select Committee considered the report of the Chief Financial Officer on the revenue expenditure as at the end of April 2003.

RESOLVED :

THAT the budget monitoring report be accepted.

15.      OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER - OUR FIRE SERVICE - WHITE PAPER

The Chief Fire Officer advised the Select Committee that every member of the Fire and Rescue Service had received a copy of Our Fire and Rescue Service - A Summary. The White Paper was a statement of intent a proposal to legislate not a consultation document. The Bill would be introduced in the Autumn of 2003 and it was anticipated that it would become law by Autumn 2004.

The Government’s view was for a public sector Fire and Rescue Service which would be proactive in preventing fires and other risks, rather than simply reacting to fires. A new system of training and development, the ‘integrated personal development system’ was to be introduced and this would have significant financial implications. Small Fire Authorities were likely to become part of Regional Management Boards. The Committee believed that if the Isle of Wight were to become part of the South East Region then the Island’s Council Tax payer could be funding other partners on the mainland, and queried as to the likely cost of these arrangements. The Chief Fire Officer told members that no figures had been put forward. There would be additional cost implications on the one hand but there could also be savings which could offset these. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had already set up a Service Improvement Team who would report publicly on progress. The Government were also to set up a special Comprehensive Performance Assessment for the Fire Service. The Committee believed that the Government appeared to be pushing the changes through too quickly.

Members asked what social inclusion, neighbourhood renewal and crime reduction had to do with the Fire and Rescue Service. The Chief Fire Officer advised members that social inclusion was important for the Service. It had 2 schemes running, arson reduction and young firefighters, which were very successful in delivering its Social Inclusion agenda.

The Committee believed that a control centre should be set up on the Island and were advised that it was not a specific issue for the Fire Authority as it was more a political decision. The Chief Fire Officer believed that it would depend on any Regional Management Board and the Island would need to be a part of that Board. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had spoken to the Local Government Association and it was not known what the arrangements would be at this time. Members believed that the Council should try to keep the control centre on the Island and it could be run in conjunction with GAGS. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the issues arising from the White Paper would be considered by the Executive.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO EXECUTIVE :

THAT in the event that the Government pursue the White Paper then this Committee would wish to see the Isle of Wight set up as a sub region.

CHAIRMAN