Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

The Chair advised that there were currently insufficient members present for the meeting to be quorate.  However, the group were not making any decisions today and it was hoped that one of the late arriving members would be present during agenda item 3.

The Task and Finish Group met in order to scrutinise the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Draft Plan 2013/14 to 2014/15 and, in particular, to safeguard the community by ensuring that the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s budget reductions to the city were minimal.

As part of the evidence gathering process, members heard from officers from the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority, Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Community Homes, union representatives and councillors.

The full report and recommendations are attached as an appendix to these minutes.

(Councillor Nicholson joined the meeting at 4:45pm).

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) … of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

There were no items of exempt business.

The Findings of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board Task and Finish Group to review the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Draft Plan 2013/14 to 2014/15.