Archived decisions

COUNCIL MEETING, 23 FEBRUARY, 2005

REPORT OF THE

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

AUDIT COMMISSION VERIFICATION STUDY ON FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE : PHASE 2 - ACTION PLAN

1. The implementation of Stages 2 and 3 of the firefighters' pay award was subject to satisfactory progress being made by fire and rescue authorities on implementing various aspects of the modernisation agenda. The Audit Commission was commissioned to conduct a "Verification Study" of progress at local fire and rescue service authority level and to use the results from these to compile reports to inform the national pay negotiations. Field work for the studies was carried out in two phases : Phase 1 in January, 2004 and Phase 2 in June, 2004. A settlement was subsequently reached to implement the remaining stages of the pay award.

2. The results of the Phase 1 study were reported to the Authority in May, 2004. As part of this there was a local Action Plan to make progress on implementing the modernisation agenda. Performance was categorised as either red - little or no progress, amber - some progress and green - good progress. The Authority was given amber status. However, the findings of the Phase 2 study, as reported to the Authority in December, 2004, have shown some significant progress in each of the modernisation criteria areas. As a result, the Authority has now been given an amber plus status for its work in implementing this important initiative.

3. As with the Phase 1 study, a detailed Action Plan has been developed by the Corporate Management Team (CMT) and the actions taken will ensure the Authority's good progress continues to be made. Such actions have included a specific Member taking on responsibility for improving internal communications and the participation of leading members at CMT meetings. The two "Verification Study" reports are important documents for the Authority. The findings and proposed actions to implement the specific aspects of the modernisation agenda will be key in taking forward the Authority's corporate objectives for the next five years.

4IR1070105