Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on Wednesday 8 September, 2004.
PRESENT:
Councillors: K. Chapman (Chairman); Mrs. E. Baker; A. Bentley; R. Baulk; P. Galton; E.F. Gale MBE; D. Horne; D.A. Kirk; R. McIntosh.
136 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. A.E. Bailey; Mrs. D. Harrison, D. Horne, K.P.J. Searle.
137 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.
There were no declarations of interest made by Members under this item.
138 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 21 April, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
139 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations made under this Item.
140 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME - PERSONAL PERFORMANCE CONSULTANTS (PPC)
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) concerning the change to the service provider of an employee assistance programme which took effect from 1 June, 2004.
The Committee also received a detailed presentation from Neil Mountford of Personal Performance Consultants (PPC) explaining that PPC Resource offered an external source of free and confidential support to employees and their immediate family. Services offered to employees included general information, financial and legal advice and counselling, both on the telephone and face to face.
It was noted that support would continue to be provided by the Human Resources Department and Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare unit.
RESOLVED:
That the changes to the service provider of an employee assistance programme be noted.
141 THE EQUALITY STANDARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising the legislative requirement placed on Fire and Rescue Services to work towards achieving the five levels defined in the Equality Standard for Local Government; the activities the service is undertaking to ensure compliance, and how activities will be evidenced and monitored.
RESOLVED:
That the work and targets set to achieve the equality standard within Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service be endorsed and regular progress reports be submitted to future meetings of the Committee as appropriate.
142 COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (CPA) - HUMAN RESOURCES FUNCTION
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining the action plan to meet the key performance areas required for Corporate Performance Assessment (CPA), which the service aimed to achieve in partnership with other functions within the service and external partners.
It was reported that the CPA dates had been confirmed for 3-4 February, 2005 and 7-9 February, 2005.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the approach taken by the Human Resource Function to support the forthcoming CPA process be endorsed.
(ii) That the Human Resource Strategy and Workforce Plan be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.
143 IMPLEMENTATION OF REVISED TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (GREY BOOK)
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing the progress to date against the Human Resource Function timeline 2004/05, Terms and Conditions of Employment, as it related to the Grey Book.
The Committee also took this opportunity to formally thank Councillor Mrs E.S.M Barron for her valued contribution in this area of work.
RESOLVED:
That the actions undertaken to date to prepare for the revision to the Grey Book be noted.
144 ESTABLISHMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) detailing the authorised and actual establishment as of 31 July, 2004.
During discussion the Committee suggested that it would be helpful to include in the training for Members scheduled for 8 November, 2004 an explanation of how the service deploys fire fighters to cope with a major incident.
RESOLVED:
That the changes to the establishment under the Chief Officer's delegated powers, be noted.
145 CONTROL STAFF - RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND TRAINING
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the proposed strategy for Control Staff employee retention, recruitment and training that may be required during the transition to regional control rooms.
It was anticipated that the new Regional Control Centre for the South East region would be operational by September, 2007. A location had yet to be identified however it was understood that control centre staff may face the possibility of redundancy if they did not wish to transfer to a new Regional Control Centre.
In considering the retention strategy, Members were mindful that that whilst they had clear reservations about this national project, it was paramount that the service supported its control centre staff.
RESOLVED:
That the approach taken by the service in attempting to support and retain existing control staff prior to the implementation of the Regional Control Centres be endorsed.
146 INTEGRATED PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM (IPDS) - MEMBERS WORKING GROUP
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) summarising the work completed by the Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) Members Working Group since its formation in 2002. The report also recommended the appointment of three members to the Working Group.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Committee endorse the important role of the IPDS Working Group and its continued operation.
(ii) That the following Members be appointed to the IPDS Working Group:-
· Councillor K.G. Chapman
· Councillor P. Luffman
· Councillor R. H. Price
147 THREE YEAR BUSINESS PLAN FOR HUMAN RESOURCES, TRAINING AND SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT FUNCTION
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing the approach taken to establish three year business plans and setting out the plans for Human Resources, Training and Safety and Risk Management.
RESOLVED:
That the approach taken to establish three year business plans be endorsed and the content of the plans for Human Resources, Training and Safety and Risk Management be noted.
148 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REVIEW SYSTEM
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) outlining further actions following a presentation by Marianne Abley of the Audit Commission to the Authority on 26 May, 2004 regarding the introduction of a Performance Management Review System.
The Committee was informed that training would be provided to both the reviewees and the reviewers and that this would include elected Members in workshop forums . The training would be facilitated by Marianne Abley of the Audit Commission.
RESOLVED:-
(i) That the phased introduction of a Performance Management Review System commencing with the Chief Officer be endorsed.
(ii) That the Chairman of the Authority, Chairman of the Personnel Committee, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Performance Review Committee together with the leaders of the two minority groups receive the training and guidance required prior to the introduction of the Performance Management System.
149 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of Paragraphs 1 and 11 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting for the following item of business.
150 CORPORATE ALLOWANCE (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Committee considered the confidential report of the Chief Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) reviewing the current arrangements for the payment of a corporate allowance.
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