Archived decisions

Present:

Mr J Bonney

-

HFRS (Chairman)

Mr C Bacon

-

HFRS

Ms S Baker

-

RFU

Ms S Brumitt

-

Unison

Ms C Foster-Key

-

Unison

Mr A Kettle

-

HFRS

Mr R Ratcliffe

-

HFRS

T/DO C Stephens

-

HFRS

Ms S-J Taylor

-

HFRS

Mr S Waas

-

HFRS

Mr H Williams

-

FBU

Mr R Wythe

-

FBU Officers Section

Mrs R Knight

-

Minute Secretary

Members of Blue Watch, and Station personnel, B17 Fareham

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllrs Cartwright & Semmens, Messrs Needham and Ramsey and Ms McNeill.

2.

INTRODUCTION

Mr Bonney opened proceedings by stating that this was the first of a cycle of newly formatted meetings which it was hoped would allow more fairness and dignity issues and concerns to be aired frankly and constructively. Meetings would be held around the County, both at HFRS property and outside venues with guest speakers on various themes related to fairness and dignity.

Mr Bonney then welcomed the guest speaker, Stewart Brown, National Secretary of the FBU Gay and Lesbian Committee.

3.

GUEST PRESENTATION

Mr Brown gave a far-reaching presentation which covered the problems faced by people who are gay or lesbian, and increasingly transgenders, within the Service. These problems arose both by declaring their sexuality and also by deciding to hide it, thereby having to live a double life. He expressed his views on what he considered the failings of the Fire Service to confront these problems and also how he would hope things would move forward in the future.

Mr Bonney thanked Mr Stewart for sparing time from his busy schedule to come to Hampshire and for his thought provoking presentation and then asked for questions from the floor, which Mr Stewart answered.

4.

HFRS FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY UPDATE

Mr Waas gave a brief precis of the documents - 'Fairness and Dignity - Summary of Current Issues' and 'Objectives and Functions of the HFRS Local Diversity Group', copies of which are appended to these Minutes.

5.

OPEN FORUM

The floor was declared open for any questions, etc. Some aspects concerning the possible strike action were discussed but only in general terms without specifics.

6.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - 18.07.02

These were accepted as a true and accurate record.

7.

MATTERS ARISING

7.1

The Banner Theatre - 3.5 of 18.07.02

The Banner Theatre production in Bracknell in October was cancelled and is to be arranged at a future date.

7.2

International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (IABPFF) Convention, 10-17 August 2002 in New York - 8 of 18.07.02

Although some financial support had been arranged for Mr Ramsey to attend this Convention timescales had been such that he had not made the cut off date to state his intention to attend.

8.

FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY COMMITTEE BUSINESS

8.1

Diversity Timelines 2003/04

Timelines for 2003/04 are currently being developed and once completed will be placed on the Website.

ACTION: Mr Waas

8.2

Wholetime Rolling Recruitment Programme

A draft proposal has gone forward and Ms Sarah-Jane Taylor and Mr Kettle are developing, designing and implementing for the April 2003 recruitment programme. Positive action days will be organised to closely coincide with the 3 recruitment days during April 2003 financial year, thereby better aligning positive action initiatives to recruitment activities. One of the aims is hopefully to attract more applicants from under-represented groups and at the same time filling vacancies more quickly.

ACTION: Ms Taylor/Mr Kettle

8.3

Potential Industrial Action - Implications for Bullying and Harassment

All present were reminded that HFRS Fairness and Dignity Policy will apply during the strike and therefore all individuals must comply with this policy at all times.

9.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday, 16 January 2002, at St Mary's Fire Station commencing at 1000 hrs.

Dir.fin: HFRA 4 12 2002 Fairness and Dignity 17 10 02

1.

Personnel Timelines

The timelines for Diversity, Equality and Fairness 02/03 are published on the HFRS website, covering 4 key objectives:

(a) Positive Action

(b) Training

(c) Equality

(d) Thematic Review- `Towards Diversity'

This summary reflects progress to date as follows.

(a)

Positive Action

Rolling W/T Recruitment Programme

The Service is piloting a rolling W/T Fire-fighter recruitment programme, commencing in April 2003. The programme will consist of three recruitment drives per year. The proposed dates, subject to confirmation, are;

May 03

Sept 03

Jan 04

Up to date details can be accessed through the HFRS website.

Additionally, the Service is also planning to run a number of positive action recruitment events for women and people from minority ethnic groups prior to the above events and, also fitness classes at SHQ for already successful recruits awaiting to join training courses and people from the positive action groups.

Emergency and Uniformed Services Access Course- Southampton City College (HFRS, Hants Constabulary, Hants Ambulance Service, Prison Service and Maritime and Coastguard Agency)

The course is now in its second year and is aimed at women and people from the minority ethnic groups who are currently under-represented within the above services. The course is designed to prepare potential applicants for entry into any of the chosen services. Following the course is, of course, no guarantee that any of candidates will be successful in getting through our rigorous entry criteria but nonetheless offers an opportunity for those who were previously unaware of opportunities within HFRS to find out more about us, and hopefully consider a career with us.

This year, the College is offering two courses - one during the day - two days per week, and the other in the evenings - two per week. There are 10 students registered on the day course and 13 on the evening course.

The courses commenced on the Tuesday 8^th October (evening) and 10^th October (day). We are informed that there are 10 students on the day course and 13 students on the evening course. A full breakdown according to gender, ethnicity and preferred service is being prepared by the college and will be forwarded to HFRS in due course.

(b)

Training

Diversity Trainers and the Bullying and Harassment Training Programme

The Service currently has a pool of 25 volunteer Diversity Trainers of which 17 (who were able to attend) have successfully completed the Training the Trainer Course and as such are qualified trainers. Training for the remainder, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Diversity Trainers have developed a three hour bullying and harassment raining programme, which will be delivered to all HFRS employees. Training sessions will start in November, initially for members of the HFRA and members of the SMT. Training schedules in respect of the other employees are currently being prepared. Training sessions are expected to commence in December and delivered across the Service over a two-year period.

(c)

Equality Legislation

Fairness and Dignity Policy - Service Order 1/6/2

As most colleagues are aware, the above Service Order came into force in November 1999. And since then, the Service has had to respond to a number of legislative changes, and directives from the DTLR, CACFOA, HMI Inspectorate, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Therefore, in the light of the above and the Services' decision to take a strategic approach to the delivery of equality, fairness and dignity, the existing F&D Service Order has been revised to reflect the Services' future approach.

The revised policy has vision and values, thereby capturing where HFRS wants to be in relation to equality, fairness and dignity in the long term. The revised policy also applies a broader definition of equality and diversity to enable the service to address broader business objectives in a way that engages everyone in the Service in a dialogue and accountability for its progress.

The draft policy will go out for consultation in November of this year.

HFRS Local Diversity Group

It has been agreed to set up a Diversity Group to support, monitor and review the implementation of the Fairness and Dignity and Diversity Service Order. The Diversity Group will be composed of the following representatives:

· Senior Manager from each of the following functions:

Operations, Training, Personnel (Chair), Fire Safety, Corporate

Services

· Representative from Performance Review Team

· Equal Opportunities Adviser

· Representative Bodies

· External Community Representative(s)

· Information Systems Officer, Personnel

The Diversity Group will meet on a quarterly basis.

(d)

Thematic Review

Aspects of this are covered under legislation and positive action above.

Bullying and harassment

Race

Gender

Sexuality

Disability

Age