Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Meeting 26 9 2001

Item 16

HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

Minutes Of The Meeting Of The Fairness And Dignity Group,

Wednesday, 18 July 2001, at C54 St Mary's

Commencing at 1400 Hrs

Present:

Mrs J McNeill

-

HFRS (Chairman)

Mr K Butcher

-

HFRS

Ms C Foster-Key

-

Unison

Mr A Needham

-

RFU

Cllr G Semmens

-

HFRA

Cllr Mrs West

-

HFRA

Mrs R Knight

-

Minute Secretary

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Messrs Bacon, Cartwright, Presswell and Waas and Ms Baker, Ms Brumitt and Mrs King.

2.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - 17.04.01

These were accepted as a true and accurate record.

3.

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

Army Rugby Tournament - 3.1 of 17.04.01

Mrs McNeill gave a brief overview of the steps which were being taken by HFRS in respect of positive action to raise awareness and encourage more women and members of ethnic minority groups to consider the Fire Service as a career.

Concerns voiced from the watch that HFRS may be lowering its recruitment standards, and even making exceptions to the rules in some cases. Mr Butcher confirmed recruitment standards are set nationally and are applied consistently to all applicants regardless of who they were. A concern was raised that a member of the recruitment team had allowed a test to be repeated for no good reson during a recruitment day in 1999 or 2000. Mr Butcher invited any member of C54 to come to HQ to observe either what went on at the Training Centre or the process during a recruitment campaign. Mr McNeill to investigate and respond to the watch.

ACTION: Mrs McNeill

3.2

Corporate Clothing - 3.2 of 17.04.01

There was no progress to report in respect of this item.

4.

PROGRESS ON DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Mrs McNeill distributed copies of the above plan and gave a brief overview to the Committee. It was stressed that the plan was not static and would be updated/changed, etc., as and when necessary.

ACTION: Mrs McNeill

5.

NETWORKING WOMEN IN THE FIRE SERCVICE (NWFS)

Ms Brumitt had reported that she had been unable to get any definite information regarding the AGM in October. Once anything is known it will be circulated via Routine Notice.

ACTION: Ms Brumitt

6.

CAREERS INFORMATION DAY 22.07.01

Mrs McNeill explained that this was an initiative aimed primarily at young people from minority ethnic groups. A number of organisations, including the emergency services, will be present. It is hoped that participation in such activities will increase awareness that the Fire Service is a worthwhile and rewarding career with good opportunities for promotion.

7.

UPDATE ON 'ACCESS COURSE' FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES

This is a course organised and provided by Southampton City College in conjunction with the Fire, Police and Ambulance Services. It is for people interested in a career with the emergency services. The first course, which lasted 16 weeks, has just finished. Of the 15 students who started the course 7 completed it. Of those, 3 chose to pursue a career in the Ambulance Service, 1 the Police and 1 the Fire Service, leaving 2 as yet undecided.

Another course is due to commence in September 2001 and is already fully subscribed. The course now appears in the main prospectus of Southampton City College.

8.

UPDATE ON BUDGET BID FOR FACILITIES FOR FEMALE FIREFIGHTERS ON FIRE STATIONS

A bid totalling £248,000 had originally been made to support schemes at the new St Mary's Fire Station, Training Centre and Waterlooville and Eastliegh Fire Stations (copy of bid attached to minutes for information.

The Service had early notification that the Panel - set up to consider the bids from all brigades - was unlikely to approve the bids in respect of St Mary's, Waterlooville and Eastleigh Fire Station schemes as these were 'works in progress'. This was disappointing because the initial advice given to the Service was that schemes in progress could be included. Consequently a further bid was made to support improvements (mainly access for disabled) at the Divisional Headquarters buildings at Redbridge and Copnor (when relocated).

POST MEETING NOTE

The bid was only partly successful - a total of £214,000 Supplementary Credit Approval has been awarded (see attached letter from DTLR Fire Policy Unit dated 11 July 2001)

ACTION: Mrs McNeill

9.

UPDATE ON FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY TRAINING - JOINT MANAGEMENT/FBU AND SOUTHAMPTON CITY COLLEGE

Mr Butcher explained that to date fairness and dignity training had been provided to HFRS personnel by both uniformed and non-uniformed trainers. It was the intention of HFRS that, in line with national recommendations, the next, and subsequent, phases of training would be delivered by a select team of voluntary trainers from within the Service who will have achieved an accredited qualification. A partnership has been set up between HFRS, the Trades Union Convress/FBU and Southampton City College to formulate a course which will lead to this accredited qualification, which will be the equivalent of 2 A-Levels. A good response has already been received to the advert in Routine Notice asking for volunteers. The selection process will begin shortly. Financial support for this scheme will be met by the TUC. Mr Butcher will keep the Committee informed of progress.

ACTION: Mr Butcher

10.

ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS

10.1

Some concerns were voiced from the floor as it was felt that letters of apology were being sent by the Service to members of the public who had complained about the conduct of HFRS personnel without good reason. Mr Butcher to investigate and respond to the watch.

ACTION: Mr Butcher

11.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Wednesday, 17 October 2001 in the Harland Room at Service Headquarters commencing at 1000 hrs.

(PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING YOUR DIARY WITH YOU IN ORDER THAT DATES AND VENUES CAN BE SCHEDULED FOR 2002).