Archived decisions
Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority |
Item |
6 February 2002 |
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Job Evaluation - Progress Report |
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Report of the Chief Fire Officer |
Contact: |
John Bonney Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tel: 023 8064 4000 Ext 207 | |
1 |
Introduction | |
1.1 |
At the meeting of the Personnel Committee on 10 September 2001, it was resolved that a small group of three members - Cllrs Gausden, Horne and Semmens, be appointed to oversee and approve the implementation of the new grading structure for the Service. | |
1.2 |
It was further resolved that options for regrading and any financial implications be reported to the Personnel Committee and the Finance and General Purposes Committee for evaluation and approval. The timing of the process makes it difficult to present the outcomes for approval separately to the two Committees. It was therefore considered appropriate to bring this report directly to the Authority. This course of action is endorsed by both the Chairman of the Personnel Committee and the Chairman of the Financial and General Purposes Committee. | |
1.3 |
This report updates the Authority on progress and seeks approval in principle for the implementation of the revised grading structure. | |
2 |
Progress | |
2.1 |
The group of members met on 2 January 2002 and background information was given to explain the process that had been followed and how the final outcome, agreed in principle with the trade unions, had been reached. The support available for staff and the appeals processes were also discussed. | |
2.2 |
The outcome of the new structure can be summarised as follows: | |
85 employees to receive pay increases (35.7% of those affected) 136 employees salary remained unchanged (57.1%) 17 employees will come under protection arrangements as their grade went down (7.1%) | ||
2.3 |
The working group was informed that HFRS had employed an external consultant with considerable experience of job evaluation and grading review processes with other local authorities. The working group was also made aware that Unison and GMB have been actively involved in the process in partnership with officers. | |
2.4 |
Letters were issued to all staff on 10 January 2002 to advise them of the outcome of the grade of their post. Details of the appeals process were also included for anyone who wished to seek further information and clarification or to appeal on the outcome. |
2.5 |
A telephone helpline was provided by the Personnel Department to answer any immediate queries and to register requests for the 'first-stop meetings' (first stage of the appeal process). |
2.6 |
A change to terms and conditions of employment such as this may be carried out through reaching a collective agreement with the relevant trade unions. This is to be subject to a ballot of their membership. |
2.7 |
Unison and GMB issued ballot papers on the job evaluation scheme and grading structure on 11 January 2002 - after the employees had been notified of the results of the grading review. The ballot closes on 31 January 2002. The result of the ballot will be given by 15 February 2002. |
2.8 |
The final stage appeal will not take place until the outcome of the trade union ballot is known. |
2.9 |
The outcome of the job evaluation process, the pay model proposal, and plans for implementation were unanimously agreed by the working group members, but subject to final approval from the Authority and the outcome of the trade union ballot (Unison and GMB). |
3 |
Financial Implications |
3.1 |
As part of the growth proposals agreed last year, £190,000 was included in the base budget from 2001/02 to cover the anticipated cost of the review. |
3.2 |
It is estimated that the cost in 2001/02 will be £170,000, and £220,000 in 2002/03. This cannot be confirmed until the appeal process is complete and is also dependent on any staff turnover during the year. It would be prudent to reassess the financial impact for 2002/03 in October 2002 and determine at that stage the action to be taken to meet any shortfall in funding (within existing resources), and also determine more accurately the impact in 2003/04. |
4 |
European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 |
4.1 |
The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998. The attached draft protocol has been drawn up in the light of the legislation. |
Recommendation | |
That approval in principle be given to implement the revised grading structure with effect from 1 March 2002. | |
Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers |
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 |
NB The list excludes: |
1 Published works |
2 Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act |
File name - HFRA Committee 6 Feb 01 - Job Evaluation Progress Report |