1. Decisions made by the Combined Fire Authority should be taken by the Authority itself, its committees in accordance with terms of reference, or by its officers under delegated powers.
2. Where matters arise which require urgent action that fall outside of the scheme of delegation to officers and would ordinarily be dealt with by the full Authority or one of its committees, consideration should first be given to the possibility of setting up an extraordinary meeting of the Authority. Where, in the opinion of the Monitoring Officer, setting up an extraordinary meeting is not possible, practicable or the best course of action in the circumstances, then decisions relating to matters which require urgent action are to be taken by the Chief Fire Officer, the Monitoring Officer or the Treasurer depending on the nature of the business concerned.
3. Matters dealt with under this procedure should only be matters of genuine urgency that cannot wait until the next relevant meeting of the Authority or committee.
4. Before taking any urgent action on behalf of the Authority or any of its committees, where possible the Chief Fire Officer, Monitoring Officer or Treasurer, will seek the views of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Authority or of the committee which would otherwise deal with the matter. If for any reason none of the four members named above (Chair and Vice-Chair of the Authority or of the committee which would otherwise deal with the matter) are available, the views can instead be sought of the Chair or Vice-Chair of any other committee, or of any of the leaders of the political groups as seems most appropriate.
5. Where prior consultation has not proved possible, notification as soon as possible thereafter will be undertaken.
6. A record will be maintained of the urgent action authorised by the Chief Fire Officer, Monitoring Officer or Treasurer following the decision being made and will be reported for information to the next meeting of the Authority or committee as appropriate.
7. The decision taken must not be contrary to a previous decision of the Authority or established practices.
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