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MINUTES LONDON FIRE & EMERGENCY PLANNING AUTHORITY DATE Thursday 29 September 2016 TIME 2.00 pm VENUE The Chamber, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London, SE1 2AA Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority held at City Hall on Thursday 29 September 2016. Present: Dr Fiona Twycross AM (Chair) Andrew Dismore AM Councillor Oonagh Moulton Councillor Tony Arbour JP, AM Councillor Florence Eshalomi Councillor Caroline Russell AM Gareth Bacon AM AM Councillor Martin Whelton Councillor Fiona Colley Councillor Susan Hall (Vice-Chair) Councillor Leonie Cooper AM Councillor Jack Hopkins Councillor Amy Whitelock Councillor Emma Dent Coad Councillor Mehboob Khan Gibbs David Kurten AM 1. Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Sarah Hayward. 2. Minutes The motion was made by the Chair – that the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 30 June 2016 be signed as a correct record. The motion was seconded by the Vice Chair, put and agreed. Resolved – accordingly. The minutes were thereupon signed by the Chair. 3. Special Announcements by the Chairman and reports by the Chairman or the Clerk to the Authority of any Communications The Chair announced the appointment of Dany Cotton as Interim Commissioner, effective from 1 January 2017, following a recruitment process that attracted a very strong field of candidates, with particular reference to the other internal candidate, and it was noted that this was also a testament to Dany Cotton’s skills and experience. The Authority was very proud to have appointed the first female chief fire officer in the UK. The Chair also clarified that, until January, Ron Dobson would remain very much in charge of the Brigade after which there would be a smooth transition between Commissioners. However, there was still much work to be done by Ron Dobson and his team in the coming months. The Chair announced that Dave Brown, Director of Operations, had given notice that he would soon be retiring. She paid tribute to his hard work and dedication during more than 30 years with the Brigade. Gareth Bacon AM endorsed the comments of the Chair regarding the appointment of Dany Cotton and commented on the retirement of Dave Brown by referring to the major improvements in fire safety that had taken place during his time with the service. He also paid tribute to the work of the outgoing Commissioner, Ron Dobson. The Chair was pleased to report that, on Tuesday 5 July at the Royal Horticultural Show at Hampton Court, Watch Manager Simon Jakeman, one of the Authority’s leading Green Champions, won the Silver Gilt medal for his show garden 'Hoses, Rakes and Ladders'. He based his imaginative design on the themes of fire and water and used recycled materials and bedding plants based on the colours of the four watches. Simon added a garden bench made by New Malden's blue watch from recycled fire hose. The Chair reported that, on Wednesday 13 July 2016, the Brigade received the first of 90 calls to a fire in one of eight units within a single storey industrial estate. On arrival crews found a fully developed fire in a building contractors unit that had already breached the roof and was spreading to a unit containing numerous works of historical art such as antique brasses, artworks and statues. A significant salvage operation ensured that all of the artefacts were safely removed to a place of safety. In total 15 pumping appliances, two turntable ladders and a hose layer lorry attended the fire. The Chair announced that, on Wednesday 27 July 2016 the Brigade launched a new 'Total Recalls - making white goods safer' campaign, which aimed to make it easier for people to protect themselves from faulty electrical appliances that cause fires. ‘Total Recalls’ highlighted the work of the Fire Investigation Team and called for the creation of a single national register of electrical appliances; it also called on manufacturers to improve their production standards and for people to be encouraged to take simple fire safety precautions to reduce the fire risks that are associated with their white goods. The Chair stated that, on Saturday 20 August, approximately 4,500 people celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Authority at its Safe in the City event by the Imperial War Museum. The Chair reported that it was a fantastic day that surpassed all expectations after many months of planning and preparation. More than 200 staff came together to make a success of the largest outdoor public event the Authority had hosted – certainly in recent history – with good humour and professionalism. She added that 680 smoke alarms and 63 CO alarms were given away to residents living in the private rented sector as part of a DCLG project. Brigade Control also provided their own stand and allowed members of the public to experience receiving an emergency call as well as supporting the operational events throughout the afternoon. 4. Disclosures of Interests and Dispensations Resolved – That the updated details of membership of the GLA, other functional bodies and London Boroughs, as tabled at the meeting and also attached at Appendix 1, be noted. No further disclosures were made. 5. Budget Update - FEP 2642 Report of the Director of Finance and Contractual Services. The Director of Finance and Contractual Services introduced the report. Following discussion, during which some Members referred to statements made by the Mayor of London during the recent GLA elections campaign in relation to the level of resources available to the Brigade, the Chair moved the motion: That the Authority:- (1) Notes the report; and (2) Approves the Draft Efficiency Plan as attached at Appendix 4 of the report FEP 2642, for submission to the GLA. The motion was seconded by the Vice Chair, put and agreed. Resolved – accordingly. 6. Treasury Management Annual Report - FEP 2624 Report by the Director of Finance and Contractual Services. The Director of Finance and Contractual Services introduced the report. The Chair moved the motion: That the Authority – (1) Notes the 2015/16 treasury management outturn results against the 2015/16 Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS), as approved by the Authority on 26 March 2015 (FEP 2412); (2) Notes the breach of the TMSS, in relation to counterparty concentration limits for Lloyds Bank, which were exceeded over the period 28 March 2016 to 12 April 2016 and that no losses arose from this breach of the TMSS, with details of the sums involved and reasons for the breach are set out in Appendix 1, paragraphs 3 to 11 of the report FEP 2624; and (3) Approves the revisions to the 2016/17 Group Investment Syndicate (GIS) Investment Strategy, as set out in appendix 1, paragraphs 12 to 17 of the report FEP 2624 following the original approval by the Authority of the Strategy as part of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2016/17 on 17 March 2016 (FEP 2576A); The motion was seconded by the Vice Chair, put and agreed. Resolved – accordingly. 7. Statement of Assurance 2015/16 - FEP 2655 Report by the Head of Strategy and Inclusion. The Head of Strategy and Inclusion introduced the report. Members asked for the opportunity to comment on some aspects of the drafting of the Statement. An amended motion was moved by the Chair: That the Authority – (1) Notes the data requested in March 2016 as set out in the report FEP 2655; (2) Approves the Statement of Assurance 2015/16 in principle, subject to any further comments from Members on the draft text, with the Head of Strategy and Inclusion being given delegated authority to approve the final version of the Statement of Assurance, in consultation with the Chair and Leading Members. The amended motion was seconded by the Vice Chair, put and agreed. Resolved – accordingly. 8. GLA Group Corporate Governance Framework Agreement - FEP 2656 Report of the Clerk to the Authority. The Clerk to the Authority introduced the report. The Chair moved the motion: That the Authority notes the report (FEP 2656) and approves LFEPA as a signatory to the Greater London Authority Group Framework Agreement, as set out in appendix 1 of the report FEP 2656, subject to its approval by the Mayor. The motion was seconded by the Vice Chair, put and agreed. Resolved – accordingly. 9. Authority - Summary List of Actions Arising - FEP 2657 Report of the Clerk to the Authority. The Chair moved that the report be noted. The motion was seconded by the Vice Chair, put and agreed. Resolved – accordingly. 10. Questions from Members (in accordance with Standing Order 20) – 30 June 21016 – FEP 2658 Questions from Members for the meeting on 29 September 2016, published in the order received in accordance with Standing Order 20, are set out below with supplementary questions and the Chair and Commissioner’s replies: Questions received: Question 465 From Andrew Dismore AM Appliances off the run On how many occasions during July and August this year were appliances off the run for (i) a full shift; and (ii) more than 4 hours due to a shortage of (a) junior officers and (b) other crew members? Commissioner’s written response The whole issue of resource management at fire stations on a daily basis is a complex matter and is influenced by a range of different pressures. It is therefore not possible to attribute the appliance availability specifically to shortages of either junior officers or firefighters. In summary, the Brigade requires a minimum of 719 staff, with a wide variety of skills, each shift to ensure all appliances are on the run and available. In order to achieve this minimum requirement each shift has an establishment of 1,067 staff.