Archived decisions

Present:

Mr C Bacon

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HFRS (Chairman)

Ms S Baker

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RFU

Mr P Christopher

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FBU

Mrs V King

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HFRS

Mrs J McNeill

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HFRS

Mr A Needham

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RFU

Mr L Ramsey

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B&EEM

Cllr G Semmens

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HFRA

Mr S Waas

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HFRS

Mrs R Knight

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Minute Secretary

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Messrs Butcher, Cartwright and Ms Brumitt and Ms Foster-Key.

2.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - 18.07.01

These were accepted as a true and accurate record.

3.

MATTERS ARISING

3.1

Army Rugby Tournament - 3.1 of 18.07.01

During the last meeting at St Mary's fire station, a question was raised from the floor regarding recruitment standards and whether any preferential treatment was being given to women or minority ethnic people. Mrs McNeill looked into the query and reported back that all candidates are treated equally during the recruitment process. It appears that there can be confusion about what is meant by 'positive action' and one of the benefits of conducting Fairness and Dignity Meetings at different workplaces if so these concerns and questions can be aired and discussed to assure all employees that our processes are transparent and fair to all.

As always, staff are very welcome to watch the recruitment days and assist in the actual process.

ACTION: Mrs King

An information bulletin will be appended to a Routine Notice approximately two months before the commencement of the next wholetime recruitment exercise. Anyone expressing interest in assisting will be invited to do so.

ACTION: Mrs King

4.

DIVERSITY TRAINING - PROGRESS REPORT

Mr Waas reported that the response to the advertisement for volunteers to deliver the next round of diversity training, had been very good and he had been impressed with the calibre of those who had responded. 26 people applied and interviews are currently being conducted. It is envisaged that these should be completed by the end of November, following which the selected volunteers will undergo a week long training programme at Southampton City College. The exact content of the course is to be finalised. This is a joint Southampton City College, TUC, management initiative and should ensure professional and confident trainers who will have a good knowledge to be able to deal with and respond to diversity issues.

In response to a query from Mr Needham regarding applications from the Retained, Mr Waas stated that no Retained personnel had applied to become trainers. Mr Needham felt that there would be benefits in having from the Retained as they made up a fair percentage of the workforce. Mr Bacon will discuss further with Mr Needham and report back on progress made.

ACTION: Mr Bacon/Mr Needham

5.

EASTLEIGH AGAINST RACIAL HARASSMENT REPORT

This initiative, which was instigated by Eastleigh Borough Council to address racial harassment/violence, and which involved 20/25 agencies within Hampshire, was launched by Eastleigh Racial Harassment Forum at the Swan Centre, Eastleigh, on 4 October 2001. At the event all the participating agencies publicly signed up to this initiative.

The aim of the Forum is to try to get people to report any cases of racial violence and to promote good citizenship in Eastleigh. It is important that initiatives such as these are supported wholeheartedly and that every opportunity is taken to get the message across that racially motivated attacks are unacceptable.

Mr Bacon praised Mr Waas for being one of the driving forces behind this initiative and for all the time and hard work he had put into it.

6.

NETWORKING WOMEN IN THE FIRE SERVICE - REPORT OF CONFERENCE

In Ms Brumitt's absence, Mrs Tatner gave a brief outline of the purpose of Networking Women in the Fire Service. This was a group which had originally been set up to offer networking for women who joined the Fire Service initially and faced problems in being accepted. The organisation has grown significantly and widened its membership to men. There are many brigades in the country who are affiliated members, HFRS being one of these.

HFRS is sponsoring three members of staff - Ms Mo Bond, Youth Liaison Officer, Mrs Jane Tatner, Fire Safety Dept, and Ms Catherine Crouch, Fire Safety Inspector/Retained Ff, to go the AGM which is taking place on the evening/day of 17/18 October. Feedback on the event will be given at the next meeting.

ACTION: Ms Brumitt

7.

DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN - PROGRESS REPORT AND PRESENTATION

Mrs McNeill explained that on 26 September 2001 a presentation was given to the Fire Authority on the progress being achieved in repsect of the Service Diversity Action Plan. This plan identified key issues which needed to be addressed, who was responsible for action, target dates for completion of action, etc. It was reiterated that 'fairness and dignity' should be owned by everyone and anyone with concerns should feel able to talk about them and not keep them to themselves. Problems could be dealt with much more easily and at the lowest level if they were raised early.

Mr Wass to progress the formation of a YFA Group at St Mary's with Maureen Bond.

ACTION: Mr Waas

It was felt that the CFS Schools Education Team could perhaps be used as a vehicle for promoting the Emergency Services Access Course. Mr Ramsey felt that an evening course could attract more people and Mr Waas responded that this was being considered. Mr Waas also reported that an Access Course would hopefully soon be starting in Portsmouth.

Questions were asked from the floor about support systems that were in place to assist any personnel who felt they were being bullied, harassed, etc. Mrs McNeill stated that there were several avenues open, i.e., Employee Support Line, Occupational Health, the Chaplains, Trade Unions, Personnel Department or a colleague who will listen.

It was stressed that the cultural change required will take time to work it's way through the Service and the Action Plan is a guide to what is expected from all personnel employed by the Service.

8.

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS - HFRS INITIATIVE

Mrs King introduced this item by giving a brief overview of what dyslexia is, i.e., in simple words 'word blindness' and stated that 10% of the population of the UK is affected by dyslexia in one form or another. She then introduced Ms Sarah Hurley, a Retained Ff at C48 Lyndhurst, who suffers from dyslexia and who gave a short presentation on the problems, both psychological and practical, encountered by dyslexics. The only certain way of telling whether or not anyone is suffering from dyslexia is to be professionally tested, which costs approximately £200. Ms Hurley has put together a lecture pack which she will deliver go to the Training Centre staff as a lecture on 7 December 2001, to which anyone else is welcome to come.

Mrs King thanked Ms Hurley and stated that HFRS are keen to promote dyslexia-friendly practices because it is important that staff are aware of the problem and how it affects colleagues, applicants and our 'customers', and some of the solutions which are being sought.

Below are some of the actions taken/being taken to date:

¬ Making the HFRS website dyslexic friendly in its set up, e.g., typeface used, cream background instead of startling white, background colour, etc.

¬ Making literature more dyslexic friendly, i.e., paper colour, size of print, etc.

¬ Ensuring that testing or examination conditions are made more humane wherever possible, e.g., allowing dyslexics slightly more time as per recommended good practice.

Mr Bacon stated that HFRS will be raising this issue through CACFOA and that the Fire Services Examination Board has recognised that some work needs to be done to make exams more dyslexia friendly and moves are afoot to address this.

Progress/feedback will be reported at future meetings.

ACTION: Mrs King

9.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Mr Ramsey suggested that Mr Nick Shah, Hampshire Constabulary, who has been heavily involved in recruitment, be invited to give a presentation at a future meeting. Mr Waas to progress.

ACTION: Mr Waas

10.

DATES OF MEETINGS FOR 2002

Thursday, 17 January 2002, 1000 hrs at C56 Hightown

Thursday, 18 April 2002, 1000 hrs at B23 Cosham

Thursday, 18 July 2002, 1000 hrs at A1 Basingstoke

Thursday, 17 October 2002, 1000 hrs at B17 Fareham