Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Error! Bookmark not defined.Human Resources Committee Item 6

8 September 200515/03/2005

Race Equality SchemeError! Bookmark not defined.

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Jennifer McNeill Tel: 023 8064 4000 Email: [email protected]

1

Summary

This report presents to the HR committee the final version of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority's Race Equality Scheme 2005 - 2008.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.(s)

2.1

That it be a recommendation of this Committee to the Fire Authority to endorse the revision to the Race Equality Scheme 2005 - 2008 and the intention to issue each Authority Member with a personal copy.

3

Background

3.1

Consultation on the draft Race Equality Scheme concluded in March 2005 and the comments received enabled some further development of the Scheme before creating the final document. The final draft was presented to the HR Committee at the 20 April 2005 meeting. A printed copy of the Race Equality Scheme 2005 -2008 has been issued to all our employees and is also available to the public on our HFRS website.

3.2

All our Fire Authority members are being provided with a personal copy of our Scheme and by copy of this report in the Minutes to the Fire Authority on 14 September 2005, any Fire Authority members not already in possession of a personal copy of this Scheme will be provided with one.

3.3

We now have a framework for our Equality and Diversity action plan and by completing this revision to our Race Equality Scheme, we have now achieved Level One in the Local Government Equality Standard and this stands us in good stead for achieving Levels Two and Three in line with our HR Timeline 2005/06.

3.4

Our work on equality and diversity is on-going and does not stop here. Our elected members have a significant role to play in supporting this through their leadership and their expectations of us as a public body. Members are already playing a key role in our Fairness and Dignity meetings, Local Diversity Group and on our Equality and Diversity Board.

3.5

We will review our Race Equality Scheme every three years, but will report on progress made and will refine, review and if required, amend it annually.

4

Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

4.1

The Race Equality Scheme and the Equality and Diversity Strategy underpin the requirements identified in the Corporate Equality Policy and Plan. They also form part of the measures required for the Service to progress to the Levels identified in the Local Government Equality Standard and the Comprehensive Performance Assessment Process. As the Race Equality Scheme directly impacts on the quality of service we provide to the public, it aligns with our Corporate aim to be one of the top performing Fire and Rescue Services in the UK.

5

Risk Analysis

5.1

No significant risks identified

6

Resource/Financial Implications

6.1

Human Resources

Not applicable.

6.2

Physical Resources

Not applicable.

6.3

Information and Communications Technology Resources

Not applicable.

7

Equality Impact Assessment

7.1

Individual Equality Impact Assessments will continue to be carried out for the activities contained within this Scheme and Action Plan.

7.2

The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

8

Consultation

8.1

This revision to the Race Equality Scheme 2005 - 08 was consulted on with all our stakeholders and this concluded in March 2005.

Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

"None"

Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act.