ITEM 3
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on 4 July, 2008
PRESENT:
Councillors: K. Chapman (Chairman); D. Fuller; E.F. Gale; K. House; R.J. Kimber; P. Marsh-Jenks and Sam Payne.
151 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.J. Baulk; L.J. Hunt; P. Galton and R.C. McIntosh.
152 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, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Code.
There were no declarations of interest made by Members under this item.
153 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 April, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
154 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman welcomed Councillors D. Fuller and P. Marsh-Jenks, who were attending their first meeting as members of the Committee.
Members were informed that Charlie House, Head of Community Safety would be retiring after over thirty years service with the Service. Members expressed their appreciation for his service and dedication.
The Chairman informed Members that the Fireshow 2008 would be held on Sunday 6 July 2008, and would provide an opportunity for the public to see and learn about the work of the Service, as well as enable the fostering of community links and encourage and teach fire safety and prevention.
155 DEPUTATIONS
It was reported that no deputations had been notified on this occasion.
156 ESTABLISHMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book). At the time that the report had been written, actual establishment had been over authorised establishment by fourteen Full Time Equivalent staff, which subsequently had been reduced. Due to the healthy establishment figures and improved retention, the next basic firefighter training course was not anticipated to take place until January 2009.
Members discussed the impact that the lack of firefighter recruitment would have on efforts to increase the number of women and black and minority ethnic (BME) firefighters, and noted that positive action to encourage women and BME to seek a career as a firefighter.
RESOLVED:
That the Human Resources Committee notes the changes to establishment under the Chief Officer's delegated powers, as contained within the report at Item 6.
157 LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the Learning and Development Strategy for the Authority. The Strategy had been prepared to develop and enhance key areas of service delivery and drive down risk in Hampshire's communities, and supported the goal of continuous improvement in the services provided. The supporting Action Plan was a living document, which would enable it to develop both with other Authority plans and strategies, as well as adapting to meet the evolving and modernising role of fire services.
RESOLVED:
That the Human Resources Committee notes the Learning and Development Strategy and supports the implementation of future initiatives to further develop the workforce.
158 NATIONAL EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY STRATEGY
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the National Equality and Diversity Strategy for Fire and Rescue Services. The Director of Human Resources and Councillors Chapman and Price, the Chairman of the Authority and a number of officers had attended the conference launching the Strategy. This Strategy was the first to provide a holistic approach to equality and diversity, and provided an opportunity for Fire Authorities to make a difference at a local, regional and national level, and fits closely with the current Equality and Diversity Action Plan for the Authority. Of the targets set within the Strategy for recruitment of operational women firefighters and BME staff across the organisation, senior officers within the Authority would seek to commit to the more stretching targets, the commitment to which would attract a capital payment. It was intended that a formal report on the Strategy would be prepared by officers, incorporating the views of the Committee, and would be submitted to the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee prior to the full meeting of the Authority to ensure maximum Member involvement.
Members noted that the more stretching targets for recruitment of BME operational staff were higher than the percentage of Hampshire's working population from a BME background, and that this was to help facilitate a change in the number of operational staff currently employed by the Authority from a BME background, whereas recruiting at a lower level would be unlikely to have the same effect. Members agreed that it was important to ensure that people from minority communities felt welcome within the employment of the Authority.
RESOLVED:
1. That the views and comments of the Human Resources Committee relating to the National Equality and Diversity Strategy for Fire and Rescue Services be formally recorded.
2. That the comments and views of the Human Resources Committee be incorporated into a formal report to be submitted initially to the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee on 10 September 2008.
3. That, subject to any additions and amendments required by the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee, the report be passed to the full meeting of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority as an agenda item for the meeting on 17 September 2008.
159 PRINCIPAL OFFICER PAY METHODOLOGY REVIEW
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the review of Principal Officer Pay. The National Joint Committee, which governed terms and conditions of employment within fire and rescue authorities required annual reviews of Principal Officer pay to take place. The previous methodology had been tied to a three year agreement which ended in January 2008, requiring a new methodology to be developed.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Human Resources Committee agree to the reconvention of the Principal Officer Pay Review Group to decide the new methodology to apply from January 2009 onwards and to report back to the Committee. Membership would provisionally comprise the Chairmen of the Human Resources and Performance Review and Scrutiny Committees, a Vice-Chairman of the Authority (Councillor Beagley) and Councillor Cooper as nominated Liberal Democrat member.
2. That the work of the Principal Officer Pay Review Group continues to be supported directly by an external consultant from Strudel HR to ensure independent advice and support.
160 MEDIUM TERM PLAN 2008/09
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the Human Resources and Training Medium Term Plan (MTP) for 2008/09, which supported the delivery of the Fire and Rescue Service Plan. Previous MTPs of this nature had not been presented to the Human Resources Committee and instead were used solely as internal documents. However, it was felt that it would be helpful for Members to see the MTP in order to gain a fuller understanding of the future development of the Directorate.
RESOLVED:
That the Human Resources and Training Medium Term Plan for 2008/09 is noted.
161 RECRUITMENT PROCESSES REVIEW
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the current review of recruitment processes within the Human Resources Department. Based on an initial review, as well as customer feedback, a need to streamline recruitment practices in order to deliver improvements to the speed, quality and efficiency of the recruitment process, several issues related to the recruitment process, particularly relating to communication and administrative processes.
RESOLVED:
That the report is noted.
162 CODE OF PRACTICE ON CONTRACTS - WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) highlighting to Members a particular aspect of the Code of Practice on Contracts relating to a workforce management information system. The Code of Practice on Contracts had been discussed at the Finance and General Purposes Committee on 24 April 2008, and at the full meeting of the Authority on 4 June 2008.
RESOLVED:
That the report is noted.