AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on
8 September, 2005
PRESENT:
Councillors: K. Chapman (Chairman); Mrs. E. Baker; R. Baulk; M.Cooper;
P. Galton; E.F. Gale; D. Horne; R. Kimber; R. McIntosh; Sam Payne.
9 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K. House.
10 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate, declare their interest and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Fire Authority's Code of Conduct consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
There were no declarations of interest made by members under this item.
11 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 June, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
12 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations made under this item.
13 REGIONAL CONTROL - CONSULTATION ON RETENTION POLICY
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) regarding the proposed retention policy of the service for Fire Control employees.
It was reported that six of the nine Fire and Rescue Services in the South East Region had completed consultation processes on the retention policy. The Hampshire consultation focused on two options; project completion bonus and time line bonus. Having considered the consultation responses and the potential situation regarding retention, it was noted that the Senior Management Team (SMT) on 1 August 2005 approved a project completion bonus at 20%.
RESOLVED:
That the decision made by the SMT on 1 August 2005 to apply the project completion bonus at 20% be endorsed.
14 RACE EQUALITY SCHEME
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) recommending to the Authority endorsement of the revised Race Equality Scheme for 2005 - 2008. Copies of the document were circulated at the meeting.
RESOLVED:
That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority to endorse the revised Race Equality Scheme 2005-2008.
15. LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME - DISCRETIONARY POWERS - JOINING PREVIOUS PERIODS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONABLE SERVICE
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) recommending to the Authority endorsement of the powers of Discretion to support the changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
RESOLVED:
That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority to approve the following discretionary powers under the Local Government (Discretionary Payment) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 and the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 1997;
a. to allow employees of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service the option to join previous periods of Local Government Pension Scheme employment, unless joining will increase the employee's early retirement age from the Hampshire Pension Fund. In the unlikely event that such cases might arise, the individual circumstances and the merits of the case will be considered by the Head of Human Resources and the Chief Officer and a decision taken accordingly under delegated powers.
b. to allow employees of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service the option to join previous periods of Local Government Pension Scheme employment where the deferred benefits have been awarded following a reduction in pensionable pay by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service through no fault of the employee without exception.
16. SOUTH EAST REGIONAL EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY STRATEGY
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) concerning the Equality and Diversity Strategy for the South East Region.
RESOLVED:
That the strategy for the South East Region concerning Equality and Diversity be noted.
17. FIRE FIGHTER RECRUITMENT - PILOT 2005
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) in relation to the national and regional fire fighter recruitment pilot.
The committee were informed that new national fire fighter selection tests would not be available until April 2006. However, it was reported that the actual establishment profile required a new fire fighter intake in 2005 to commence a training course early in 2006. To achieve this requirement it had been agreed that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service would become part of a national and regional pilot programme to trial the draft national tests and would make fire fighter appointments at the end of the process.
RESOLVED:
That the proactive initiative to become part of a national and regional pilot for the new fire fighter recruitment process, providing feedback to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), be endorsed.
18. ESTABLISHMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) updating members of the authorised and actual establishment as of 31 August 2005.
RESOLVED:
That the changes to the establishment under the Chief Officer's delegated powers be noted.
19. ELECTED MEMBERS - DEVELOPMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) seeking member nominations to assist with the progress of Role Maps and Development Programmes.
RESOLVED:
That Councillors R. Baulk and Sam Payne be appointed to assist with the progress of Role Maps and Development Programmes.
20. MEMBER INVOLVEMENT IN WORKING GROUPS ON PEOPLE ISSUES
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) seeking member nominations for the following projects;
· Job Evaluation for Grey Book Employees
· Review of Working Patterns and Duty Systems
· Investors in People
RESOLVED
That the following members be appointed to serve on the above mentioned projects as and when required:
Councillor R. Baulk
Councillor D. Horne
Councillor R. Kimber
Councillor Sam Payne