8 September 2016

Members are asked to agree the minutes, attached marked 3, of the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting, held on 17 March 2016, and that they be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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3 - Strategy and Resources Committee Minutes 17 March 2016	106.7 KB

This report, attached marked 5, brings the latest version of the Committee's constitution to notice of its Members.  It also asks Members to consider what training, if any, they wish to recieve in order for them to fulfil their role on the Committee.

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5 - Committee Constitution and Training	237.84 KB

Clun Architects

In accordance with Section D of the Fire Authority’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts, an exemption from the requirement to obtain competitive tenders for architectural services for the Clun Fire Station refurbishment, at an estimated cost of £35,000 has been agreed.  The Chief Fire Officer and Treasurer, after consultation with the Chair, granted the exemption in April 2016, on the basis that the company concerned, Baart Harries Newall, represents the best option for the Service.  Baart Harries Newall have previously worked with the Service on the successful delivery of similar projects.

Internal Audit Services

In accordance with Section D of the Fire Authority’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts, an exemption from the requirement to obtain competitive tenders for Internal Audit Services, at an estimated cost of £47,000, has been agreed.  The Chief Fire Officer and Monitoring Officer, after consultation with the Chair, granted the exemption, on the basis that Audit Services at Shropshire Council represent the best option for the Service.

Internal Audit services, which have been provided by Shropshire Council since the Fire Authority was established, was based on a programme of audits over a four-year period, which ended on 31 March 2016.  Discussions around the next audit plan concluded that as the Service is currently undergoing a major transformation in terms of systems and policies, the best approach would be to continue to use Audit Services at Shropshire Council.  This would ensure that changes through transformation could be measured and assessed, against reviews previously undertaken by Council auditors.

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 satisified 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 formallly 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 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.