Meeting Details

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter, in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members are asked to receive any questions, statements or petitions, of which notice has been received, from members of the public.

Members are asked to agree the minutes, attached marked 4, of the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee meeting, held on 1 December 2022, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

This report, attached marked 5, asks Members to consider the Terms of Reference of the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee, following the annual review conducted by officers.

This report, attached marked 6, asks Members to review the Role Descriptions for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee, the Member Champion for Risk Management and Audit and the Fire Authority’s Independent Person.

This report, attached marked 7, gives the Committee an opportunity to make comment on the draft Code of Corporate Governance 2022/23, prior to it going forward to the full Fire Authority for consideration and formal adoption.

This report, attached marked 8, presents the accounting policies to be used in the production of the Fire Authority’s Statement of Accounts 2022/23, for consideration and approval. 

This report, attached marked 9, informs the Committee of the proposed internal audit plan for 2023/24.

This report, attached marked 10, requests the Committee to recommend that the Fire Authority re-affirm the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy following the annual review conducted by officers.

This report, attached marked 11, summarises the progress made to date against the improvements contained in the Annual Governance Statement Improvement Plan 2022/23.

This report, attached marked 12, updates Members on the status of risks on the Corporate Risk Register.

This report, attached marked 13c, presents the Service’s approach and action plan to the recommendations made to the sector in the His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) Values and Culture in the Fire and Rescue Services Report.

This report, attached marked 13b, presents the Corporate Performance Indicators for 2023/24 as agreed by the Strategy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 22 March 2023.

This report, to follow marked 14a, deals with ethical framework matters, namely a review of the Members’ Code of Conduct and related documents.

Whilst not a legal requirement, it is good practice for Members to receive regular updates on Code of Conduct complaints, even if there have been none.  Officers are pleased to report that, during the period 2022/23, the Fire Authority has received no complaints that any of its Members has breached its Code of Conduct.

This report, attached marked 15, updates the Committee on Member development activity over the past year and proposes training and development activity for the year April 2023 to March 2024.

Members are asked to note the minutes of the Pension Board meeting, held on 25 November 2022, which are attached marked 16a.

Members are asked to note the minutes of the Pension Board meeting, held on 16 March 2023, which are to follow marked 16b.

Members have a discretion to exclude the press and public from meetings of the Fire Authority in defined circumstances.  In view of the nature of business to be transacted, it is recommended that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, having been satisfied in all the circumstances of the case that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing this information, that Members formally resolve that the press and public be excluded+ from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Members are asked to agree the exempt minutes, attached marked 18 of the Standards, Audit and Performance Committee meeting, held on 1 December 2022, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Committee is asked to receive Appendix B to Report 9 – Corporate Risk Management Summary, attached marked 19, which contains exempt information.