Archived decisions
HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE Item 16
MINUTES OF THE FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY MEETING
HELD AT ST MARYS FIRE STATION ON WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL 2004
PRESENT
DCFO John Bonney - Service HQ (Chair)
Ms Jenny McNeill - Service HQ
Mr Shanti Waas - Service HQ
Ms Sarah-Jane Taylor - Service HQ
Mr Lud Ramsey - B&EMM Representative
Lord Conrad Jordan - FBU
Cllr George Semmens
StnO Ian Gray
StnO Niall Hayden
Mrs Carole Hobbs - Minutes
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
DO Andy Bowers and StnO Peter Watson.
2 INTRODUCTION
DCFO Bonney welcomed members of St Marys and outlined the format of the fairness and dignity meetings.
3 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 22 JANUARY 2004
These were accepted as a true record.
4 MATTERS ARISING
4.1 Network Groups (6.2)
Ms McNeill reported that the name of the group has been changed to Community Outreach Team.
5 PERSONNEL AND DIVERSITY TIMELINES
Ms McNeill gave a brief update on the timelines which have now been agreed.
Lord Jordan asked if the rank structure would be maintained following the change from rank to role. Ms�McNeill stated that it would but only for the time being.
StnO Hayden asked if there was going to be a national standard for uniform, insignia, etc. DCFO Bonney stated that there needs to be consistency on the fireground and this may be the same for uniform as a result of the Government requirement for national procurement and collective buying.
Discussion took place on how the assimilation process for Grey Book staff would be undertaken.
- 2 -
A core team of people, to be called the Retained Awareness Team, are to be appointed. These personnel will have good communications skills and knowledge of the retained service and will attend fetes, fairs and events in specific target areas to give advice and information regarding the retained service.
National guidance has been issued on the Working Time Directive, the Service is currently considering this.
6 GUEST SPEAKER - LYN WITHERIDGE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ANDREA ADAMS TRUST
The Andrea Adams Trust is a charitable trust set up 9 years ago to deal with bullying in adult life. Lyn Witheridge held an open forum to discuss the definitions and understanding of bullying and the costs of this in terms of loss of man hours, reputation, etc.
DCFO Bonney thanked Lyn for her presentation and said she had provided those present with food for thought regarding the definition of bullying and the difference between bullying and firm management.
7 HFRS FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY UPDATE
Mr Waas stated that HFRS does take positive action to issue information to local communities regarding the work of the Fire Service:
- Emergency service access course which gives people an idea of what it takes to be part of the Fire Service.
- A self teaching pack is being issued in Portsmouth to help people achieve the required entry standards.
- Retained awareness team to promote the retained service and various events.
- Outreach service is being established to encourage application from hard to reach groups comprised of members from across the Service.
8 LOCAL DIVERSITY GROUP UPDATE
The mentoring scheme Service Order has been circulated for comment and should be issued shortly. The purpose of the mentoring scheme is for people coming into the Service to have a mentor to assist them with development issues and offer advice. This was originally intended to be for ethnic minority groups but has now been extended to cover all new employees.
9 PRESENTATION ON THE BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITY MEMBERS SCHOOL 2003
Lud Ramsey gave a presentation on the above and stated that a very successful course had been held in 2003. Discussion took place on why those present thought that there was a lack of firefighters from ethnic minorities.
10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
To be confirmed.
John Bonney drew the meeting to a close and thanked personnel for their participation.
HFRA 26 5 04 Fairness Mins 14 4 04