PRESENOLDEB/ATTENDANCE Presennol yn y Cyfarfod/Present at Meeting:
CADEIRYDD/CHAIRMAN:	B J Hall
IS-GADEIRYDD/VICE CHAIRMAN:	T W Davies
AELODAU/MEMBERS:	Cyng/Cllrs: C Crowley, T E Evans, Mrs F M Jones, C Morgan
YN BRESENNOL/ IN ATTENDANCE:	D G Sullivan, H T Lewis
YMDDIHEURIADAU/APOLOGIES:	Cyng/Cllrs: D C Prothero, J D A Thompson

Cynnwys/Contents

1 DECLARATION BY MEMBERS OF PECUNIARY OR NON-PECUNIARY INTEREST

2 TO CONSIDER THE REPORT OF THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER

Brigade Business and Performance Plan 2003/04

Minutes of the Best Value Standing Group

OPERATIONS AND SPECIAL APPLIANCES BEST VALUE REVIEW

FIRES PARTNERSHIP - RENEWAL OF CONTRACT

1 DECLARATION BY MEMBERS OF PECUNIARY OR NON-PECUNIARY INTEREST

None were declared

2 TO CONSIDER THE REPORT OF THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER

A MATTERS FOR DECISION

1 Brigade Business and Performance Plan 2003/04

Consideration was given to the Brigade Business and Performance Plan, which incorporated the information required under Best Value legislation and the Departmental/Command Business Plans for the year 2003/4. Members noted that some of the National Performance Indicators statistics did not relate to the entirety of 2002/3, as some statistics were currently being verified prior to their incorporation into the document. These amendments would be made prior to its publication date of 30 June 2003.

Members were asked to note an amendment made to BVPI(i) and (ii) targets from 6.5 shifts per person to 7 which was considered more realistic taking account of the 2002/3 performance. The target remained well within the best of performers comparator.

The document would be produced bi-lingually on the internet and intranet and a limited number of printed documents would be circulated to Fire Authority Members, Brigade locations and public libraries for their reference sections.

Committee considered the Business Plan section by section and the following areas were highlighted:

1. BV 8 - The percentage of invoices for commercial goods and services that were paid by the authority within 30 days of such invoices being received by the authority.

It was noted that the Brigade target had been set at 88% which although below the Governmental target of 100%, was more realistic given the geographical nature of the Brigade. (Notably the Family Group Average for 2001/02 had been 83.3%)

2. BV 150 - Expenditure per head of population on the provision of fire and rescue services.

The Treasurer indicated that a report by a graduate consultant working with the Brigade and supported by the Local Government Data Unit had concluded that the pattern of expenditure in the Authority was a direct reflection of the current national, and statutory, methodologies for risk categorisation. The Authority had limited scope to affect the current resource levels although it was noted that the IRMP could impact upon these in the future.

3. Best Value Audit Report - BVPP 2002/2003

Councillor Hall suggested that the primary local performance indicators should be moved to the main body of the plan.

4. Partnerships

It was suggested that the area of partnerships could be considered and monitored in more detail by Members in liaison with the appropriate County Commands.

5. Corporate Services Department Business Plan - 7 - E-Government

It was noted that in addition to the greater use of electronic delivery of services, the current postal system to members would be reviewed in order to ensure that all mail to individual members was collected in the mail-room and sent out in one envelope at the end of the week as appropriate.

Members wished to record their thanks to all those involved in the production of the Brigade Performance Plan.

RESOLUTION

It was RESOLVED that:

The Brigade Business and Performance Plan for 2003/04 was commended and approved, subject to amendments to the targets for sickness absence and to the section on Performance Indicators as end of year statistics become available.

B MATTERS FOR INFORMATION

1 Minutes of the Best Value Standing Group

The minutes of the Best Value Standing Group meeting held on 27 February 2003 were received for information.

2 OPERATIONS AND SPECIAL APPLIANCES BEST VALUE REVIEW

It was noted from the Best Value Standing Group Minutes of 22 April, 2003 that the Operations and Special Appliances Review had not been completed due in part to the introduction of Integrated Risk Management Planning. Members recalled from the previous meeting that the Brigade were awaiting guidance from the ODPM on this issue. This had now been received and following initial consultation with the Authority a response had been returned to ODPM. Wide consultation had also taken place with Brigade Officers and Managers resulting in a further response by the Chief Fire Officer which was attached for members information.

The review of Volunteer Stations at Borth and Caldey had yet to be completed but a meeting had been arranged for Members and Officers to meet with the Community Council in Borth on 17 June to discuss the current situation and a similar meeting regarding Caldey was in the planning stages.

3 FIRES PARTNERSHIP - RENEWAL OF CONTRACT

The Brigade had now agreed a short-term extension contract with Opinion Research Services, which would enable the ongoing work on consultation to continue until the new arrangements for consultation services made through the OJEC procedure were established.