At a meeting of the Combined Fire Authority for County Durham and Darlington held at Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Belmont Business Park, Durham on Thursday 12 November 2015 at 10.00 a.m.

Present:

Durham County Councillors:

Councillors D Bell, J Bell,J Chaplow,B Graham, M Hodgson, S Iveson, J Lethbridge, L Marshall, C Potts, G Richardson, K Shaw, M Simmons,D Stoker, J Turnbull andA Willis.

Darlington Borough Councillors:

Councillors B Jones, G Lee and S Richmond.

Independent Standards Members:

Mr J Dykes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Armstrong, B Glass, A Laing, P Oliver and J Robinson.

A1Declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest.

A2Chief Fire Officer’s commendations

The acting chief fire officer awarded commendations to two members of the public for their actions in separate incidents in which they assisted in bringing casualties to safety.

A3Strong arm challenge

Members from the strong arm challenge team presented to members their last 3 years of fundraising challenges and achievements which resulted in winning team of the year at the recent Fire Fighters Charity ‘Spirit of Fire’ awards held in London. The acting chief fire officer and chair of the Authority thanked the team for their informative presentation and congratulated all those who had participated or facilitated the challenge.

A4Minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2015

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2015 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the chair (for copy see file of minutes).

There were no further matters arising.

A5Audit and risk committee – chairs report

The Authority considered a report of the chair of the audit andriskcommittee which provided an update of the discussions made at its meeting held on 28 September2015 (for copy see file of minutes).

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

A6Policy and performance review committee – chairs report

The Authority considered a report of the chair of thepolicy and performance reviewcommittee which provided an update of the discussions made at its meeting held on 15 September 2015 (for copy see file of minutes).

The chair requested that she be added to the report as she had attended the meeting.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

A7Finance and general purposes committee – chairs Report

The Authority considered a report of the chair of the finance and general purposes committee which provided an update of the discussions made at its meeting held on 29 October 2015 (for copy see file of minutes).

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

A8Member attendance at conference

The Authority considered a report of the chair which summarised the key issues covered at the Combined Fire Authority conference held on 22 October 2015 and the implications for the Authority(for copy see file of minutes).

The acting chief fire officer has been asked to represent the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) on the inclusive fire service working group established through the National Joint Council (NJC).

Resolved:

That the report be noted and it be approved for the acting chief fire officer to represent CFOA on the inclusive fire service working group.

A9Update on health collaboration initiatives

The Authority considered a report of the deputy chief fire officerwhich provided an update on the work that is being carried nationally in relation to fire and health collaboration and how this is being implemented at a local level(for copy see file of minutes).

The deputy chief fire officer informed members that following the authority’s submission of interest to undertake a trial of emergency medical response, the National Joint Councilhave confirmed that it has been accepted.

Resolved:

  1. That the content of thereport be noted.
  2. That it be noted thatan expression of interest to undertake a trial of emergency medical response has been submitted and accepted by the National Joint Council.

A10Government response to the consultation on public sector exit payment cap

The Authority considered a report of the acting chief fire officer which informed members of the Government’s response to the consultation on a proposed cap on the exit payments that certain public sector employees could receive when leaving their organisation(for copy see file of minutes).

Resolved:

  1. That the government’s response to the consultation on public sector exit payment cap be noted.
  2. That the potential implications for the Authority be noted.

A11Integrated Risk Management Plan consultation 2016-2017

The Authority considered a report of the acting chief fire officer which provided members with details of the format and content of the consultation document for the 2016-17 integrated risk management plan(IRMP) (for copy see file of minutes).

The chair encouraged members to attend and support the Service at local consultation events such as area action partnerships or parish council forums where possible.

Resolved:

  1. That the content of the IRMP consultation 2016/15 document be agreed.
  2. That the consultation questions be agreed.
  3. That the approach to consultation be agreed.

A12Bonfire period update (presentation)

Thegroupmanager for community protection and prevention delivered a presentation to members in relation to recent bonfire period.

Resolved:

That the presentations be noted.

A13Any other business

There was no other business.

A14Exclusion of the public

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 4 of part 1 of schedule 12A to the said act.

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