Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 9

Human Resources Committee Meeting

20 April 2007

Fairness and Dignity Forum

Report by the Chief Officer

Contact: Charlie House Tel : 023 80 644000 ext 2346

Email : charlie.house@hantsfire.gov.uk

1

Summary

1.1

This report summarises the content and the discussion of the Fairness and Dignity Forum held at St Mary's Fire Station on Thursday, 1 March 2007.

2

Recommendations

2.1

That the Human Resources Committee note the contents of the report.

2.2

That the Human Resources Committee notes the date and venue of the next meeting on Thursday, 21 June 2007 commencing at 1000 hours at Fareham Fire Station.

3

Introduction and Background

3.1

Approximately 25 people attended the Forum including the Chief Fire Officer, Fire Authority Members, Fire Service employees and members of the local community. Charlie House welcomed everyone and explained that the Forum was an opportunity to debate topical issues. Charlie advised that the debate would be run according to the Chatham House Rule.

4

Guest Speaker

4.1

Charlie introduced Terri Sandison, Head of Widening Participation at the University of Winchester. Terri talked about her background leading to her current role and gave a presentation about Widening Participation in Higher Education.

4.2

Terri discussed various issues concerning the target groups, which consist of people from low participation neighbourhoods, lower socio-economic groups, deprived rural and coastal areas, young people in care, minority ethnic groups, and disabled people. She also highlighted the figures in the 1998 Government Green Paper: The Learning Age, stating 62% adults of working age have no level 3 qualification and 20% adults have poor basic skills, have not changed. The presentation finished with two thoughts for the audience to consider, "What are universities for?" and "What should universities in Hampshire be doing?".

5

Debate

5.1

Charlie House opened the debate as a challenge to the audience's belief of a `standard' fire service and to stimulate thought. The first debate was "The Chair believes that there is a role for disabled people within the operational Fire and Rescue Service".

5.2

The floor discussed the many different degrees of disability. It was agreed that there would be a line of what is acceptable in operational duties, but that it would depend on the actual task/s concerned.

5.3

The question was raised about what constitutes `operational' and it was highlighted that the `traditional' role of a firefighter has changed. The audience discussed the change in working practices and the evolvement of equipment and how this may enable people with certain disabilities to be operational.

5.4

The second statement opened a debate on the perception across the workforce that "Management do not deal effectively with complaints under fairness and dignity and discipline". Charlie House was interested to know how may complaints the audience believes that Employee Relations deals with at any one time. Some members believed that figures could be in the `hundreds' but it was confirmed that it is actually in the `tens'. It was agreed that it is possible for complaints to be dealt with differently due to the numerous management styles that exist throughout all levels of staff. The conclusion was that there is a need for the continued education of management so that all relevant policies are effective.

6

Close of Meeting

6.1

Charlie House thanked Terri Sandison for her presentation and all the participants for their attendance and contribution to the discussion. The next meeting will be held on 21 June 2007 at Fareham Fire Station.

7

Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

7.1

The Fairness and Dignity Forum, the discussion held and the issues that the Equality Team are progressing are providing a fundamental contribution to the achievement of the organisation's aims and objectives.

8

Risk Analysis

8.1

The Fairness and Dignity Forum provides an opportunity for Managers, Frontline Staff and Members to openly debate equalities issues and inform the Equalities Team of the feelings and concerns towards current initiatives and ideas. Equalities is an issue highlighted as part of a broader Corporate risk and the Fairness and Dignity Forum is seen as an important measure in controlling this risk.

9

Resource Implications

9.1

There are no direct resource implications from the recommendations of the Report.

10

Equality Impact Assessment

10.1

Equality Impact Assessments are carried out on all new initiatives and ideas that may be discussed at the Fairness and Dignity Forum. It was noted at this Forum that members of the Black and Minority Ethnic communities were present and this greatly added to the contents/benefits of the debate. The Equalities Team will therefore continue to seek the involvement of Community Leaders in the Fairness and Dignity Forum.

10.2

The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

11

Consultation

11.1

Consultation has not been required for the contents of this report, however, the Fairness and Dignity Forum serves as a useful method of consulting a wider audience over development in the areas of Equalities and Diversity.

Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

None

Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act.