Agenda

Members are reminded that this meeting will be audio-recorded.

To receive any announcements that the Chair wishes to make prior to the commencement of the formal business of the meeting.

Members are reminded to disclose any interests that are relevant to any item on the Agenda.

To receive any questions submitted, in accordance with procedure rules 4.47 to 4.54 by members of the public within the area covered by the Fire Authority.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Fire Authority Meeting held on 25th September 2024.

To receive, for information, the minutes of the Audit Committee meetings held on 18^th September and 20^th November 2024.

To receive, for information, the minutes of the Governance and Constitution Committee meeting held on 6^th November 2024.

Item 2 – Conclusion of the 2024 Review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme

The Committee was satisfied with the Report of the Independent Reviewer and took her Report into account in agreeing its recommendation to the Fire Authority about the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2025-26 and beyond.

The Report of the Independent Reviewer was shared with Members of the Fire Authority shortly after the Committee met.  It can be accessed using this LINK

No decision is required about the Review, but it does provide context for the decisions being sought below.

Item 3 – Members’ Allowances Scheme: Annual Increase to be Applied to 2024-25 Scheme; and Draft 2025-26 Scheme

The Report considered by the Committee is attached as Annex 1.  The Appendix to the Report, as slightly amended by the Committee, is attached as Annex 2.

Two decisions are required. 

Recommended that: the Fire Authority

[1]      agrees that an annual increase of 3.83% should be applied to the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2024-25; and

[2]      approves the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2025-26 at Appendix 1 to the report (accepting the minor change noted during the meeting and highlighted in these minutes).

PLEASE NOTE: Annex 2 on pages 37 to 41 is the Members’ Allowance Scheme 2025-26 that is recommended by the Committee. It assures that the 3.83% increase for 2024-25 is agreed and has been adjusted accordingly.

To receive, for information, the minutes of the Brigade Managers’ Pay and Performance Committee meeting held on 13^th November 2024.

To receive, for information, the minutes of the Staffing Committee meeting held on 13^th November 2024.

To receive, for information, the minutes of the Performance and Overview Committee meeting held on 20^th November 2024.

To receive, for information, notes concerned with Member training and development.

There were no Members of the Group able to meet on 1^st October 2024. However, Councillor Gina Lewis, who is not a Member of the Group attended and the notes reflect her views on the agenda item.

The Programme attached is similar to previous years, taking into account as far as possible the anticipated meeting arrangements of constituent authorities. Members are asked to note the Programme.

This report is contained in Part 2 of the Agenda, because it deals with commercial matters relating to the sale of surplus land held by the Fire Authority. 

Reports about this were previously considered by the Fire Authority in June 2022 and the Public Report can be accessed via this LINK.  The Authority is being asked to determine how it wishes the sale to proceed.