AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire Brigade Headquarters, Eastleigh on Wednesday 21 April, 2004

PRESENT

Councillors: K. Chapman (Vice Chairman) (in the chair); Mrs. A.E. Bailey; P. Galton; E.F. Gale MBE; Mrs. D. Harrison; D.A. Kirk; K.P.J. Searle.

Also in attendance: Councillor M. F. Cartwright (in his capacity as Chairman of the Authority)

125 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R. Baulk; R. McIntosh and G. Semmens.

126 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Fire Authority's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

Councillor D. A. Kirk declared a personal interest in Minute No. 134 below as a Trustee of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and remained in the meeting and voted thereon.

127 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 4 February, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

128 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

129 KEY TASK REVIEW 2003/2004 - 2004/2005

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing the progress made in meeting the 2003/04 key tasks and the timelines for 2004/05. Members were informed that the timeline approach had worked successfully across the three functional areas of Safety, Human Resources and Training and as a result would be rolled out across other functions of the Fire Service.

RESOLVED:


(i) That the methodology adopted and the integration of business plans continue to be endorsed.


(ii) That the progress made in meeting the 2003/04 key tasks and the timelines for 2004/05 be noted.

130 ESTABLISHMENT

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the authorised and actual establishment as at 31 March, 2004. It was noted that the report did not include budget bids for posts, due to take effect 1 April, 2004.

RESOLVED:

That the changes to the establishment be noted.

131 JOB EVALUATION OF GREY BOOK POSTS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the approach taken to date in preparing for the process of job evaluation and recommending the appointment of a small group of Members to endorse the final outcome of the new grading structure and job evaluation process.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the approach taken to date in preparing for the process of job evaluation be noted and endorsed.


(ii) That a small group comprising the following Members be established to endorse the final outcome of the new grading structure and job evaluation process:


Councillor K. Chapman (Conservative Group).
Councillor P. Galton (Liberal Democrat Group).
Councillor K.P.J. Searle (Labour Group).

132 FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY - PROGRESS REPORT ON THE HFRS BULLYING AND HARASSMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) summarising the progress made to date in the delivery of the Service's Bullying and Harassment training programme.

RESOLVED:

That the progress to date be noted.

133 ATTENDANCE MANAGEMENT

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) detailing the progress made by the service over the last year regarding reducing absence attributed to sickness or injury and maintaining optimum attendance levels and productivity.

The Committee were informed that although improving attendance at work would not be formally identified as a key task for 2004/05, the initiatives would continue to progress and would remain a significant area for all managers, in line with the services best value performance indicators. The monitoring of attendance levels would also continue to form the basis for annual report to the Fire Authority.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and the approach taken be endorsed.

134 KEY ASPECTS OF THE FIREMEN'S PENSION SCHEME AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) outlining the profile of the Firemen's Pension Scheme Order (FPSO) and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and a copy be passed to Members of the HFRA Finance and General Purposes Committee for information.

135 DISCIPLINARY MATTER (CONFIDENTIAL)

The Committee considered the confidential report of the Chief Fire Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) summarising the details surrounding a disciplinary matter.

(SUMMARY OF A MINUTE WHICH CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION).