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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority - Hampshire

Agenda
Published
Minutes
Published
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
10:30 AM
End:
Tuesday, 10th February 2026
2:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Date:
10 Feb 2026
Location:
Room X - Hampshire & IOW Fire & Police HQ, Eastleigh
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Councillor George Madgwick

(Portsmouth City Council)

Present, as expected

Councillor Louise Parker-Jones photo
Committee Member
Vice Chairman of the Council
Councillor Louise Parker-Jones

Independent

Present, as expected

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Councillor Fran Carpenter photo
Committee Member
Councillor Fran Carpenter

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor David Drew photo
Committee Member
Councillor David Drew

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Committee Member
Councillor Sally Goodfellow

Liberal Democrat and Labour for HIWFRA (Southampton City Council)

Apologies

Councillor David Harrison photo
Committee Member
Councillor David Harrison

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Committee Member
Councillor Zoe Huggins BEM

Conservative Group for HIWFRA (Hampshire County Council)

Present, as expected

Councillor Rhydian Vaughan MBE photo
Chairman
Councillor Rhydian Vaughan MBE

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Committee Member
Councillor Karen Lucioni

Independent Group for HIWFRA (Isle of Wight Council)

Present, as expected

Agenda
1 Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes Apologies were received from Councillor Goodfellow.
2 Declarations of Interest
To enable Members to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest is not already entered in the Authority’s register of interests, and any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members may wish to disclose.
Minutes Members were mindful to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest was not already entered in the Authority’s register of interests, along with any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members wished to disclose.
3 Minutes of Previous Meeting
To approve the open minutes from the previous Full Authority meeting.
Attachments:
Minutes The open minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.
4 Deputations
Pursuant to Standing Order 19, to receive any deputations to this meeting
Minutes There were no deputations for the meeting.
5 Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes The Chairman reported that the Authority had now received the final Local Government Finance Settlement. The Authority had responded to the consultation on the provisional settlement and the Chief Fire Officer had written to local MPs regarding the final settlement and sought their support in advancing the case for fairer funding. The Authority expressed disappointment at the reduction in funding at a time when demand on the Service continues to rise.

The Chairman also recognised Councillor Price for his exceptional contribution over 33 years as a councillor and 25 years as a Member of the Fire Authority. Members noted his long?standing involvement with the LGA, his decade of service on the Pensions Board, and his strong advocacy on behalf of the fire sector. As this was his final Full Authority meeting before the May elections, Members recorded their sincere thanks and appreciation. All Members were in agreement.
6 Member Developments
To receive any updates from Members of the Authority.
Minutes Members reported recent visits and activities. The Chairman and Vice?Chairman had visited the new East Cowes Fire Station, noting the challenges faced by crews currently working out of Newport due to traffic and access issues, and the positive impact of returning to their station before Christmas. Members commended the Service for its recent work at Southampton Hospital.

Members also highlighted attendance at the fire cadets’ passing?out parade in Basingstoke, the graduation ceremony for new firefighters in Eastleigh, and a visit to the Incident Command facility, which was described as highly informative and reflective of staff commitment and professionalism. It was suggested that all Members should visit the facility if they had not already done so.

Further updates included an inspection of the East Cowes site, engagement with retired firefighters regarding pension entitlements under the Matthews remedy, attendance at national meetings on pay and conditions, and local issues affecting appliance access in Portsmouth’s narrower streets. Members also referenced work relating to devolution and LGR, workforce pulse survey outcomes, case management and welfare interventions, including TRIM and mental health support.
7 Members’ Allowances Scheme – Proposals for 1 April 2026 Onwards
To receive a report from the Monitoring Officer presenting the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee in respect of a new Members’ Allowances Scheme to take effect from 1 April 2026 onwards.
Attachments:
Minutes The Authority received a report from the Monitoring Officer, item 7 on the agenda, which set out the proposed Members’ Allowances Scheme for implementation from 1 April 2026.

The report detailed the review undertaken by the Members’ Allowances Working Group, consideration of the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panels of the constituent authorities, and the context of local government reorganisation and the planned transfer to the Mayoral Combined County Authority in 2027. Members noted that the Audit and Governance Committee had endorsed continuation of the existing Scheme for the remainder of the Authority’s term.

RESOLVED

That, having considered the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee and the constituent authorities’ Independent Remuneration Panels, the proposed Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2026/27 (and, if appropriate, 2027/28, 2028/29 and 2029/30) was approved and adopted by the HIWFRA Full Authority with effect from 1 April 2026.
8 Budget and Precept Requirements 2026/27 (Including Medium Term Financial Plan)
To receive a report from the Chief Financial Officer setting out the proposed 2026/27 revenue budget, council tax (precept), capital programme and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) including an update on efficiencies for approval.
Attachments:
Minutes Prior to determining this item, the Authority considered and resolved the related exempt agenda items (Items 14–17).

The Authority received a report from the Chief Financial Officer, item 8 on the agenda, which presented the proposed 2026/27 revenue budget, council tax requirement (precept), capital programme and Medium Term Financial Plan.

Members noted the financial position for the current year, the impact of the settlement announcement, inflationary assumptions, identified delivery pressures and the progress of the efficiency plan. The report also set out options for addressing the remaining budget gap for 2026/27 and highlighted the further work required to develop sustainable proposals for the medium term.

RESOLVED

· That the 2025/26 monitoring position and forecast outturn for the year was noted by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

· That the Revenue Budget for 2026/27, as set out in Appendix A1, was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

· That if there were any changes in the funding allocation when the final settlement was published, the change would be managed by amending the draw from the Budget Equalisation Reserve.

· That the Revised Revenue Budget for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix A2, was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

· That if there was an underspend at year?end on the revenue budget for 2025/26 (as was projected), any underspend would be returned to the Budget Equalisation Reserve, except for underspends relating to uninsured costs, which would be transferred to the Insurance Risk Reserve.

· That any delays in the delivery of approved savings would be cash?flowed by a draw from the Budget Equalisation Reserve.

· That the Medium Term Financial Plan additional information, as set out in Appendix B, was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

· That the Capital Programme and funding, as set out in Appendix C1 and exempt Appendix C2, was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority. (Cllr Parker?Jones did not support this recommendation.)

· That the Reserves Strategy, as set out in Appendix D, and the specific proposals requiring approval in paragraphs 109–114, were approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

· That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2026/27 (and the remainder of 2025/26), as set out in Appendix E, was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

· That authority was delegated to the Chief Financial Officer to manage the Authority’s investments and borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate.

· That the Capital and Investment Strategy for 2026/27 (and the remainder of 2025/26) including the required Prudential Indicators and the Minimum Revenue Provision statement, as set out in Appendix F, was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

· That the Section 25 Report, as set out in Appendix G, was noted and taken into account by the Authority when agreeing the budget and council tax.

· That the council tax requirement for 2026/27 of £68,219,266.49 was approved by the HIWFRA Full Authority.

· That the Authority’s council tax was increased by £5.00 (5.69%) for a Band D property for 2026/27, and that the resulting council tax for each property band was approved as follows:

Band A: £61.89

Band B: £72.21

Band C: £82.52

Band D: £92.84

Band E: £113.47

Band F: £134.10

Band G: £154.73

Band H: £185.68

· That precepts totalling £68,219,266.49 were issued on the billing authorities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, payable in the instalments and on the dates previously notified by those authorities, in proportion to their tax base:

Billing Authority

Total (£)

Basingstoke

6,538,953.30

East Hampshire

4,967,154.46

Eastleigh

4,655,144.29

Fareham

4,179,313.29

Gosport

2,518,665.64

Hart

4,016,777.37

Havant

4,023,704.17

New Forest

6,898,550.47

Rushmoor

3,130,704.06

Test Valley

4,929,989.68

Winchester

5,200,636.85

Portsmouth

5,475,090.46

Southampton

6,293,623.60

Isle of Wight

5,390,958.85

Total

68,219,266.49
9 Annual Pay Policy Statement And Principal Officer Pay Review
To receive a report from the Chief Financial Officer providing the Pay Policy Statement and Principal Officer Pay Review.
Attachments:
Minutes The Authority received a report from the Chief Financial Officer, item 9 on the agenda, which presented the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, alongside the annual review of Principal Officer pay.

Members noted that the Statement provided transparency regarding senior remuneration and comparisons across the workforce, and that several procedural recommendations were proposed to strengthen the review process.

In discussion, Members considered the recommended change to specify that participation in the Chief Fire Officer’s PDR meeting should fall to an appropriate position rather than a named individual, to avoid complications arising from elections and committee changes. Members also discussed the timing of the Principal Officer Pay Review, noting the benefit of aligning it with national pay awards and maintaining consistency across the organisation.

RESOLVED

· That the Pay Policy Statement at Appendix A was approved for publication on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service website.

· That the Authority approved that the HIWFRA Chairman, Vice?Chair and Councillor Zoe Huggins should participate in the Chief Fire Officer’s PDR meeting.

· That the Authority approved moving the timeline for submission of any Principal Officer local pay award business case to September, or as soon as possible after national pay awards were agreed.
10 HIWFRA Safety Plan 2025-2030 Year 2 Approval
To receive a report from the Chief Fire Officer seeking Fire Authority approval of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Safety Plan 2025-30 following an annual review which has posed several updates.
Attachments:
Minutes The Authority received a report from the Chief Fire Officer, item 10 on the agenda, providing the Year 2 update to the Safety Plan. Members noted that the update incorporated organisational developments, reflected inspection findings, and responded to emerging operational needs. The introduction of three refined areas of focus and the assurance that directorate?level plans sat beneath these priorities were welcomed.

During discussion, Members highlighted that the updated focus areas were aligned with feedback from HMICFRS, and expressed support for the streamlined approach. The improved alignment between strategic planning and inspection recommendations was seen as a positive step for transparency and operational consistency.

RESOLVED

That the Year 2 updates to the HIWFRA Safety Plan 2025–2030 were approved.
11 Health and Safety Statement of Intent
To receive a report from the Chief Fire Officer seeking approval of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority Health and Safety Statement of Intent for 2026-2027.
Attachments:
Minutes The Authority received a report from the Chief Fire Officer, item 11 on the agenda, presenting the updated Health and Safety Statement of Intent for 2026–27.

Members noted that the annual review had identified no substantive changes required other than updating the name of the Chief Fire Officer.

RESOLVED

That the Health and Safety Statement of Intent for 2026–27 was approved.
12 Fire Authority Protection Policy - Position Statement for Sprinklers
To receive a report from the Chief Fire Officer the Fire Authority Protection Policy - Position Statement for Sprinklers.
Attachments:
Minutes The Authority received a report from the Chief Fire Officer, item 12 on the agenda, which presented an updated Position Statement for Sprinklers following a comprehensive review undertaken by a Member and Officer Working Group.

The updated statement incorporated changes in legislation, national learning and the Authority’s longstanding advocacy for the installation of sprinkler systems across a wide range of building types.

In considering the report, Members discussed the strengthened expectations now outlined for schools, residential care homes, high?rise buildings, timber?frame developments and domestic properties. Members noted the historical context, including the impact of the Shirley Towers fire, which had led to previous lobbying activity aimed at increasing sprinkler usage in high?rise buildings. They welcomed the updated technical accuracy of the statement and its clearer references to recent legislative requirements. The Authority also noted the introduction of lowered height thresholds for new high?rise buildings requiring sprinklers, and the position that retrofit should be recommended in all buildings above 11 metres.

Members raised several points during discussion. It was suggested that refurbishment works within hospitals and other high?risk care environments should prompt consideration of retrofitting sprinklers, particularly in light of recent major incidents. Members also queried whether community buildings should be explicitly referenced, although Officers explained that the working group had prioritised sectors where the Authority had the strongest legislative influence. Members emphasised the importance of ensuring that the document would be actively used to influence planners and developers, noting that sprinklers can in some cases assist developers in maximising usable space. It was confirmed that a link to the Statement would be included on the Authority’s website once published to aid wider circulation. Members observed that the strengthened domestic?property section brought the Authority’s position closer to the model adopted by the Welsh Government, which was welcomed.

The Authority expressed broad support for the updated document, recognising it as significantly stronger and clearer than the previous version. Members considered that the Statement should be shared widely, including with national bodies such as the LGA and NFCC, in order to encourage consistent adoption of best practice across the sector.

RESOLVED

That the updated Fire Authority Protection Policy – Position Statement for Sprinklers was approved.
13 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the reports.
Minutes It was agreed that the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business, as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the reports.
14 Minutes of Previous Meeting (Exempt)
To approve the exempt minutes from the previous Full Authority meeting.
Attachments:
15 Managing Fireground Contaminants - Affordability
To receive an exempt report of the Chief Fire Officer in relation to the affordability of managing Fireground Contaminants.
Attachments:
16 Droxford Fire Station Options
To receive an exempt report of the Chief Fire Officer in relation to the options for Droxford Fire Station.
Attachments:
17 Budget and Precept Requirements 2026/27 (Including Medium Term Financial Plan) - Exempt Appendix
To consider an Exempt Appendix in relation to Item 8 on the agenda (Budget and Precept Requirements 2026/27 (Including Medium Term Financial Plan)).
Attachments:
Previous Meetings
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10th Feb 2026

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18th Dec 2025

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7th Oct 2025

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29th Aug 2025

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15th Jul 2025 Cancelled

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16th Jun 2025

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15th Apr 2025

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5th Feb 2025

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17th Dec 2024

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8th Oct 2024

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Future Meetings
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