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Contact: |
Jennifer McNeill, Personnel Manager Tel: 023 8064 4000 Ext 524 |
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1 |
Introduction |
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1.1 |
The Report to Personnel Committee in June 2002 on Establishment and Service Structure Policy referred to a series of alterations over the previous year. This was due to the creation and deletion of various posts to respond to new legislation and central government initiatives and the need for the Service to re-prioritise its resources to optimise efficiency and meet these ever-changing demands. The current year is similarly one of significant change. This paper reports on the establishment position as at 1 December 2003 |
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1.2 |
The authorised establishment level for Grey Book (wholetime, retained and control) and Green Book (non-operational / support posts) as at 1 December 2003 has been calculated from post increases following budget approval by HFRA or authorised variances within current establishment since the 1999/2000 HMI return. References to changes to establishment since 1999/2000 are provided in the following reports: |
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· 1998 Structure Review and report to Personnel Committee · HFRA Committee Annual Budget Reports · Bridging the Gap Report · Section 19 approval documents · Variation to Establishment forms
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1.3 |
Given the number of changes in recent years and the need to prepare for the inevitable further adjustments a rank to role assimilation process will create, a thorough review of the current establishment has been conducted to crystallise the current position. Hence the authorised establishment has been reconciled against current actual establishment figures to identify any variances, whether temporary or permanent. Variances identified have now been accounted for by the function heads responsible for that area. Funding for variances is to be found from other areas such as savings on vacant posts; external funding or, where this has not happened, will result in the deletion of the post, although there may be an associated overspend. |
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2 |
Background |
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2.1 |
Increases to establishment are made through budget bids and approvals from the HFRA. Variations to establishment that have no financial impact are implemented through the Chief Fire Officer's delegated powers and are reported to the HFRA. As a result of recent changes in legislation, operational posts that are no longer required by the Service had to have approval via a Section 19 Application to the Department of Transport, Local Government and Regions (DTLR) ODPM to be deleted, but this requirement was removed as part of the recommendations within the Bain Report and the White Paper 2003. |
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2.2 |
As regards Green Book posts, the pay and grading review, including the appeals process, is complete and the outcome of this in terms of cost was higher than the budget figure originally estimated and approved. This has contributed towards an element of overspend on establishment. |
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3 |
Current Establishment |
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A summary of the authorised establishment for Grey Book posts, identified as wholetime, retained, control, and Green Book posts is given below: |
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3.1 |
Wholetime establishment |
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Establishment |
Actual 1/12/03 |
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783 |
791 |
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3.1.1 |
In addition to the above, there are 12 trainee firefighter posts which are supernumerary to the establishment for the duration of the training course at the Training Centre, HQ, but which are funded and 7 posts that are externally funded. |
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3.1.2 |
Changes to wholetime establishment via delegated powers, as agreed at the Service Management Team (SMT) meeting on 3 November 2003 including additions, deletions or change of function are as follows:- |
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Post |
Action |
Position No |
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DO Operations Delivery |
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50012118 |
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ADO Rushmoor Group Command |
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50010304 |
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StnO 42 Training Delivery |
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50012156 |
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StnO 42 CFS |
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50011361 |
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StnO (A) Training Centre |
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50012087 |
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StnO (A) Training Centre |
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50012088 |
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SubO (A) Operations IRMP |
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40009137 |
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LFf Community Support |
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40008861 |
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DO IRMP |
over-est |
50008349 |
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DO Group Commander Rushmoor |
over-est |
50005064 |
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ADO Command Strategy |
over-est |
40007572 |
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StnO 42 hrs Prof Standards |
to Green Book |
40009026 |
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SubO 42 TFS |
delete |
40009099 |
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SubO 42 TFS |
delete |
40009123 |
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SubO 42 TFS |
delete |
50002486 |
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Princes Trust CFS |
to Green Book - ext funding |
40009172 |
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LFf non-assigned |
delete |
not assigned |
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Ff CFS Community Support |
delete |
not assigned |
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Ff CFS Community Support |
delete |
not assigned |
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3.1.3 |
For a breakdown of posts by rank, posts which are supernumerary, externally funded and changes being reported to Personnel Committee, please see Appendix 1 |
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3.2 |
Retained establishment |
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Establishment Units |
In Post - number of people |
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(24-hour cover units) |
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635 |
694 |
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The number of people in post is not a reflection of establishment units as people employed give part or full cover. This contributes to the establishment unit. Currently, not all the establishment units are filled on each retained station. |
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For breakdown of retained establishment units by rank and station, please see Appendix 2 |
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3.3 |
Control Establishment |
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Establishment |
Actual |
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(full time equivalents) |
(full time equivalents) |
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35 |
38 |
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For breakdown of posts by grade, watch and posts which are supernumerary, please see page 1 of Appendix 3 |
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3.4 |
Green Book Establishment |
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Establishment |
Actual |
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(full time equivalents) |
(full time equivalents) |
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230.15 |
231.15 |
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3.4.1 |
In addition to the above, there are 4.6 full time equivalent posts that are externally funded. |
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For a breakdown of posts by location and grade and posts which are supernumerary, externally funded and where changes are being reported to Personnel Committee, please see Appendix 3 page 2 onwards |
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The actual posts for the Emergency Catering Team 20.75 and the Incident Command Unit 22.75 are included in Appendix 2 (top of page), however there is not an `authorised' establishment figure specifically for these vehicles but is held against a shortfall in retained posts. |
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3.4.2 |
Changes to Green Book establishment via delegated powers, as agreed by the Service Management Team (SMT) on 3 November 2003 including additions, deletions, or change of function are as follows:- |
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Post |
Action |
Position No |
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CFS Community Support (E) |
fund from Ff |
50002512 |
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Princes Trust Deliver Partner Mgr |
ext fund |
50012085 |
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Princes Trust Co-ordinator |
ext fund |
50012086 |
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Media & PR GDA (D) |
variation |
40008948 |
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Media & PR Snr Administrator (E) |
variation |
50003684 |
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Employee Relations Adviser (K) |
fund from StnO |
40008981 |
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Operations IRMP (G) |
delete |
not assigned |
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CFS Community Support (E) |
delete |
not assigned |
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Fire Safety Inspector (F) |
delete |
not assigned |
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Fire Safety Inspector (F) |
delete |
50002323 |
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Snr Fire Safety Inspector (G) |
delete |
40009191 |
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Media & PR Events Co (E) |
delete |
50002437 |
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Media & PR Events Co (E) |
delete |
not assigned |
4 |
Financial Implication |
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Establishment (Funded) |
Over Establishment (Partly Funded) |
Estimated Additional Cost 2003/04 £ |
Estimated Additional Cost 2004/05 £ |
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Wholetime |
783 |
8 |
89,000 |
39,000 |
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Control |
35 |
3 |
91,000 |
91,000 |
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Green Book |
230 |
1 |
-4,000 |
0 |
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Total |
1,048 |
12 |
176,000 |
130,000 |
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The 8 over establishment wholetime firefighter posts include 2 posts due to finish at the end of the financial year and 5 leading firefighter posts held against firefighter posts and green book posts resulting in additional costs. It is intended to recruit to the established posts at the earliest opportunity, if possible. In addition, a long term sickness case has been facilitated which would otherwise have incurred sick pay. |
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The 3 over establishment control posts are the subject of a growth bid for 2004/05. |
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The over establishment green book post is held against a vacant post. |
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5 |
Externally Funded Posts |
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Given the increasing use of government grants to fund specific posts, action is being taken to implement a `tracking' system to identify and reconcile the cost of externally funded posts against payments received. A mechanism will be set up by the Resourcing Team to ensure that the on-going duration of externally-funded posts are reviewed regularly and the termination or extension of contract is agreed in time for this to be actioned appropriately. The potential for increased costs of temporary arrangements due to employment rights accruing, such as redundancy rights, will also need to be monitored by the Resourcing Team. The Finance department will take responsibility for administering the invoices and receiving payments accordingly so that the employment costs on establishment are offset against income received. |
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6 |
Managing the Establishment |
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6.1 |
The Service is reviewing the establishment control processes and will ensure variations are reported at the earliest opportunity to the Personnel Committee. This will be the result either of the deletion of posts, conversion or re-grading of post/s or a successful budget bid. |
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6.2 |
The Scheme of Delegation to Officers needs to be reviewed and the sections dealing with personnel/establishment matters will be improved to ensure increased clarity and accountability in the management process. |
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7 |
The Future of the Establishment |
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7.1 |
Since the disappearance of Section 19 approvals to delete operational posts, the future HFRS establishment will be determined by the Service's Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP). The IRMP will determine the numbers and allocation of posts by role to support the duties of prevention, protection and intervention. |
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7.2 |
Current employment legislation governing discrimination and issues of equal pay will focus the Service's attention on a process of objective justification for all operational posts. Where there is no justification for the operational element of a post, the post will be reviewed and, where appropriate, the duties may be re-designated to a Green Book post on the establishment. |
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8 |
Glossary or Abbreviations |
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DO |
Divisional Officer |
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ADO |
Assistant Divisional Officer |
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StnO 42 |
Station Officer 42 hours |
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StnO (A) |
Station Officer with an Allowance |
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SubO (A) |
Sub Officer with an Allowance |
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LFf |
Leading Firefighter |
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Ff |
Firefighter |
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CFS |
Community Fire Safety |
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TFS |
Technical Fire Safety |
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IRMP |
Integrated Risk Management Plan |
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GDA |
General Duties Assistant |
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Media & PR (G) etc. |
Media and Public Relations Grade of post |
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9 |
Recommendation |
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That the Personnel Committee notes the changes to the establishment reported and the new audit system for tracking establishment changes. |
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Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background -papers |
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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. |
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None |
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Appendices |
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1 |
Wholetime Establishment |
2 |
Retained Establishment |
3 |
Control Establishment |
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File ref: Secretarial/WP/word/Corporate/HFRA: HFRA Personnel 17 12 03 Establishment 2 JBcem/18/11/2003 |
