The Fire Brigades Union is demanding to know why Councillor Gary Strong did not declare he was a director of North West Fire Control Limited at the Cabinet meeting which decided to move to the company’s regional fire control centre. The minutes and agenda contain no declaration.
There is no suggestion that Strong gets any personal benefit from his position as a director – it is a local authority controlled company – but he spoke very highly of the technology which the company claims it will provide along with the claimed financial benefits.
The Cabinet paper, which was approved, also authorized Councillor Strong, along with others, to become involved with discussing contracts in relation to the move on behalf of the council. The union said it is concerned there may have been a breach of the council’s own Code of Conduct.
One councillor did declare a personal interest because she knew a member of the fire service. Councillor Strong declared an interest at the meeting on an unrelated agenda item.
Kevin Brown, FBU Regional Secretary said: “Councillor Strong tabled the report and spoke at the Cabinet in glowing terms about the alleged benefits of moving to north west regional fire control. The claims of the regional control company were central to the approval by the Cabinet and I am concerned that he did not declare an interest at that meeting.
“I believe the meeting had a right to a declaration from Councillor Strong that he is a director of the company. At the very least he could have been challenged as to why he was so fervently in favour of the move and if his support was influenced by his personal interest.
“He declared an interest on another agenda item in relation to his membership of a Trust. In my view there were even greater reasons to declare the interest in regard to North West Fire Control Ltd and I look forward to his explanation as to why he did not.”
According to North West Fire Control Ltd website: “The North West Fire Control Centre is run by a local authority controlled company, called North West Fire Control Limited. The Company is run by a Board of Directors. The Board comprises of ten Directors – two appointed by each principal fire and rescue authority – who meet regularly to deal with business of the company.”
Councillor Gary Strong and Councillor Bill Bleasedale (who was not at Cabinet has made statements to public meetings and the media in support of the move to a regional control) are both listed as Directors on the company’s website. Mr Bleasedale is frequently quoted in the media as an “ex-firefighter” but not in his current role as Director of the regional control company.
Media contact Kevin Brown 07834 656085
Minutes, 15 September Cabinet meeting:
“Mrs Mallinson declared a personal interest in agenda items 17 and 23 (Fire Control Update) as she knew a member of Fire and Rescue staff. Mr Strong declared a personal interest in agenda item 16 (Holehird Trust Property Sale) as he was the County Council’s representative on the Trust.”
Mr Strong did not declare to the meeting his role as NW Fire Control Ltd. Director, to which he is directly or indirectly appointed by the county council.
Cabinet Agenda
82. DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST
To disclose any personal and prejudicial interests relating to any item on the agenda.
NB The following is a summary of what constitutes a personal interest and a personal and prejudicial interest. Please seek advice or refer to the Code of Conduct (paragraph 8) for full definitions.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
You have a personal interest if the issue being discussed in the meeting affects the well-being or finances of you, your family or your close associates more than most other people who live in the Electoral Division affected by the issue.
Personal interests are also things that relate to an interest you must register.
N.B. If the personal interest arises because of your membership of another public body, you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.
Code of conduct section 8 (referred to in the minutes)
Personal interests
8 (1) You have a personal interest in any business of your authority where
either –
(a) it relates to or is likely to affect –
(i) any body of which you are a member or in a position of general
control or management and to which you are appointed or
nominated by your authority;
(ii) any body –
(aa) exercising functions of a public nature;
(bb) directed to charitable purposes; or
(cc) one of whose principal purposes includes the influence of
public opinion or policy (including any political party or trade
union), of which you are a member or in a position of general control or
management;
