Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at the Fire Brigade Headquarters, Eastleigh on 19 June, 2002.
PRESENT:
Councillors: G. Semmens (Chairman); Mrs. A.E. Bailey; R. Baulk; K. Chapman; M. Gausden; Mrs. D. Harrison; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh.
78 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A. Bentley and K.P.J. Searle.
79 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported on his attendance together with Deputy Chief Fire Officer J. Bonney at a recent CACFOA Seminar about "Understanding Faiths And Their Relationship With Work". A note about the Seminar (Item 1 in the Minute Book) was circulated at the meeting.
80 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 3 April, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
81 FUTURE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on proposed changes to the structure of the service.
In supporting the changes detailed in the report Members highlighted in particular the importance of the role of the Fire Service in community safety and were pleased to learn of the HFRS involvement in all eleven of the new district council community safety strategies which were currently being prepared.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Chief Fire Officer's intentions and rationale for changes to the structure of the service be noted.
(ii) That the Chief Fire Officer report to a future meeting on the HFRS involvement in each of the eleven district council community safety strategies.
82 ESTABLISHMENT REPORT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on the establishment as of 31 March, 2002 and on those future changes programmed to take place over the next twelve months. Also, they noted particular key factors that influence the establishment such as absence levels and medical retirements. The Chief Fire Officer warned Members that inadequate staffing levels had resulted in certain of the HFRS performance indicators being low compared to the national average. However, action taken in the last year's budget settlement for 2002/03, 2003/04 would assist in improving this situation over the next two years once personnel were trained and in place.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the absence and ill-health retirement statistics and the associated Best Value Performance indicators be noted and the recommended HFRS work plans for improving performance in these areas be endorsed.
(ii) That the Committee note the current establishment levels and the adjustments that have been previously agreed which will be implemented over the forthcoming twelve months.
83 ESTABLISHMENT AND SERVICE STRUCTURE POLICY
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) about the current review of personnel policies and procedures and need to formalise the policy in relation to the service establishment and structure.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and the approach taken by the Chief Fire Officer be endorsed.
84 EMPLOYEE RELATIONS POLICY
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) about the need to formalise the policy in relation to employee relations.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and the approach taken by the Chief Fire Officer be endorsed.
85 SUBSTANCE MISUSE
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) about a proposal to amalgamate two separate orders on Alcohol at Work and Drugs at Work into one Service Order on Substance Misuse.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and the approach taken by the Chief Fire Officer be endorsed.
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