Issue - meetings

In response to a request from the Chairman regarding the £1m costs of the Winter Hill incident the Director of Corporate Services confirmed that the Home Office had been contacted on several occasions regarding the claim submitted under the Bellwin Scheme and there appeared to be ongoing debate with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on where the claim sat.  As it was financial year end the following week, the Director of Corporate Services would liaise with the auditors regarding the treatment of these costs which could impact on the drawdown of reserves.  It was discussed and agreed that the Chairman, CC De Molfetta should write a letter to the Home Office either separately or collectively with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

In response to a question raised by County Councillor O’Toole regarding the property overspend position reported on page 3, the Chief Fire Officer advised that the budget was well managed however additional work had been undertaken on female facilities at the request of the Executive Board.  The Director of Corporate Services added that this overspend related to the revenue budget position, covering day-to-day repairs and small projects, large projects were reported as part of the High Value Procurement Report considered separately under part 2 of the agenda.

County Councillor Wilkins queried whether the apprentice levy funds could be better used.  The Director of People and Development confirmed that managerial training had been identified and there had been changes to the number of green book apprentices.  He advised that as support functions were not very large there were not many opportunities for apprentices and more of the fund would be spent once the firefighter apprenticeships standards had been approved.  He confirmed that an application had been submitted for the Service Training Centre to be an approved training provider but a timescale for the approval process was currently unknown.

County Councillor O’Toole expressed concern regarding the continued overspend on property and following discussion under this agenda item and later under item 13 of the agenda it was agreed to establish a politically balanced sub-committee that would enable Members to better scrutinise contract variations on building projects.  Political group leaders would advise the Clerk of their representatives outside the meeting.

RESOLVED: - That:

i)    The Minutes of the last meeting held on 28 November 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman; and

ii)   A politically balanced Resources Sub-Committee of 5 Members be established to scrutinise contract variations on building projects.