AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on Wednesday 1 December 2004.

PRESENT:

Councillors: K Chapman (Chairman); Mrs E Baker; R Baulk; P Galton; E F Gale MBE; D Horne; R McIntosh.

151 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs A. E. Bailey, A. Bentley, Mrs D. Harrison, D A Kirk and K P J Searle

152 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest made by members under this item.

153 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8 September 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

154 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

155 PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE FIREFIGHTERS' PENSION SCHEME

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book refers) advising Members that two consultation papers had been issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM); the first detailed reforms to the existing pension regime, while the second outlined proposals for a scheme for new entrants, to take effect in April 2006. Overall, the intention would be to introduce a pension scheme suited to the Fire and Rescue Service of the future. Comments were invited on the issues raised in the consultation documents and it was suggested that the Fire Authority respond on the basis as set out in Section 4 of the report by the closing date for comments of 14 January 2005.

The report also summarised some of the proposed changes and identified potential issues and impacts on the Fire and Rescue Service.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted and the comments to the 16 pensions proposals, as listed in Section 4 of the report, be submitted to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) before the closing date of 14 January 2005.


(ii) That the approach taken by the Service to consider requests made from serving personnel who wish to remain in the Fire Service employment past the age of 55 years, be endorsed.

156 CHANGES TO MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ARISING FROM THE REVISION TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (GREY BOOK) 2004

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minutes Book refers) identifying the key implications of changes to the Grey Book relating to grievance, discipline and disputes procedures.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the changes to the employment matters for Grey Book employees be noted and the changes proposed relating to delegation to officers for all employment matters, unless the action commences at a senior level necessitating the involvement of Members, be supported.

(ii) That further to (i) above this approach be applied across all employee groups equally to ensure consistency and fairness of treatment.

157 MEETING THE EQUALITY STANDARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ESLG) - PROGRESS REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book refers) detailing the progress made by the Service on equality and diversity issues, and specifically the plans in place to implement the ESLG framework.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made by the Service on equality and diversity issues, and specifically the plans in place to implement the ESLG framework be endorsed.

158 INTEGRATED PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM (IPDS) IMPLEMENTATION - PROGRESS REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book refers) providing an update on progress made to date in implementing the IPDS within Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and outlining further key tasks planned to be undertaken in 2005/2006.

RESOLVED:

That the level of ongoing work of the project team supporting the Human Resource and Training functions to achieve full implementation of IPDS, be noted.

159 PART II OF THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT (DDA) 1995

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book refers) setting out the changes to employment legislation that took place in October 2004 and the potential impact on service delivery.

RESOLVED:

That the changes to employment legislation that took place in October 2004 and the potential impact on service delivery, be noted.

160 RE-NAMING THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

The Committee considered the report of the Clerk (Item 10 in the Minute Book) requesting Members' views on the suggestion by the Chairman that the Personnel Committee be re-named the Human Resources Committee to more accurately reflect the wide-ranging activities of the Human Resources Section that reports into the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That it be RECOMMENDED to the Fire Authority that the Personnel Committee be re-named the Human Resources Committee, with effect from 8 December 2004.

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