Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Human Resources Committee Item 8

20 April 2007

Establishment

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: T/ACO Charlie House - Head of Human Resources Tel: 023 644000 ext 2346

1

Summary

1.1

This report brings the Committee up to date on the authorised and actual establishment, as of 28 February 2007. This takes account of any efficiency savings or deletions of posts, successful budget bids or variations within the Service's authorised establishment level since previous changes to establishment under delegated powers were reported to the Human Resources Committee on 2 February 2007. This report identifies any further variations across all employee groups within the time period 1 January 2007 to 28 February 2007. Note: This report is in line with previous reports using a tabular format to show post changes.

1.2

The authorised establishment level is defined as the level of establishment approved by the Fire and Rescue Authority.

1.3

The actual establishment level over the year is influenced by the planned recruitment to vacancies, difficulties in recruitment and retention, retirements, terminations, resignations, long term absences due to sickness and injury.

2

Recommendation

2.1

That the Human Resources Committee notes the changes to the establishment under the Chief Officer's delegated powers, contained within this report.

3

Establishment Management

3.1

Establishment management is an important aspect of our human resources strategy and workforce planning. It informs our longer term planning for recruitment, assessment and development centre activities, career development and accelerated promotion programmes. Performance management and personal development plans are also influenced by how we manage our establishment.

3.2

The duties and responsibilities of posts within the organisation continue to be reviewed against changing service delivery requirements aligned to the Service's Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), new legislation and central government initiatives.

4

Authorised and Actual Establishment as at 28 February 2007

4.1

The tables below reflect the authorised establishment figures as at 28 February 2007

in different employment groups. Externally/other funded posts are reflected below and as a part of a separate table where they exist to enable the authority to monitor this aspect individually. The actual establishment figures include these externally/other funded posts. Full time equivalent (FTE) posts are indicated where appropriate.

Note: Grey Book posts are listed in the role structure which was implemented wef 1 April 2006.

Wholetime Establishment

Role

Scope

Of Role

Authorised

Establishment

(Head Count)

Externally/

Other Funded Posts

(Head Count)

Actual Establishment

(Head Count)

Principal Officers

3

0

3

Assistant Chief Officers

0

1

1 *

Area Managers

B

4

1

4

A

0

0

0

Group Managers

B

12

7

21

A

19

1

18

Station Managers

B

33

9

35

A

9**

6

23

Watch Managers

B

83**

5

63.5

A

19**

5

40

Crew Managers

95**

6

104

Firefighters

487

4

491 (inc. 12 trainees)***

Total

764**

45*****

803.50 (5.5 headcount under establishment)

* Area Manager (Risk and Safety Management) is a temporary promotion due to non appointment of a replacement Head of Human Resources. This arrangement will continue until April 2007.

** Please note the total establishment figure has increased by 5 FTE since the last report. The following is a summary of the changes that have occurred to make up this figure:

- 1 x Station Manager Post created as the Central Services Manager. This post will ultimately become a green book position, but an initial Grey Book appointment has been made to set up the arrangements for the management of the personnel reserve and restructure this team. Post Ref no. 50053186

- Watch Manager `B' increase of 8 FTE and Watch Manager `A' decrease of 8 FTE. This change has resulted following a submission from the Watch Managers at Fareham and Copnor stations for their roles to be re-evaluated. The job evaluation procedures were followed and this resulted in a change to the `scope' of the role.

- Crew Managers (Basingstoke Fire Station). Establishment increased by 1 crew manager per watch (4 FTE) to compensate for the loss of the rider station officer posts.

***A small trainee firefighters' course commenced on 8 January 2007 consisting of 12 FTE. This is reflected in the total number of firefighters actually employed in order to offset our predicted leavers during the duration of the course. Due to predicted retirements, leavers and other staff movements during the course of the year we anticipate that this number will be back to the established level by the end of 2007.

**** The current distribution of managers is based on the existing personnel that held the posts as at the point of change from rank to role i.e. 1 April 2006. Over time the Service will manage the movement of personnel, via the appointments, transfers and promotions (ATP) process, to ensure we move back towards the establishment levels. The `A' and `B' positions are within the same role, although the size/scope of the role differs. `B' positions attract a higher rate of pay.

*****Based on the headcount figures above for this period we have a total of 45 posts that receive external or other funding, an increase of 1 FTE over the previously reported numbers. The following is a summary of these posts and the changes during this period:

Externally/Other Funded Posts Breakdown (Grey Book)

The following details new posts that are to be externally or alternatively funded, the funding source and end date. These changes have occurred during the period 1 January 2007 to 28 February 2007.

Post Title/Area

Funding Source

Start/End Date

Assistant Fire Resilience

Co-ordinator

50054726 (New)

DCLG fully funded. Initially a six month secondment for which an HFRS employee has been selected.

1 January 2007

Rural Safety Officer

50043050

Details of the funding arrangements for this post have previously been reported, but this post has now been amended from a Crew Manager to Watch Manager `A' position. This is an experimental temporary post which will be funded by sponsorship, partnership agreements, grants and income generation for an initial period of 1 year. Costs to be aneutral

31 August 2007

Total

2 FTE, 1 additional Full Time Equivalent

The following is a summary of all other existing Externally/Other Funded (Grey Book) arrangements that are in place:

Post Title/Name/Area/

Position Number

Funding Source

End Date

Temporary Assistant Chief Officer

50036721

Head of HR vacancy

April 2007

Area Manager Regional Secondment South East HR Partnership

50036966

SE HR Partnership

Arrangement amended, post will discontinue wef 31 May 2007.

31 May 2007

Group Manager `B' internal secondment to HR.

50022533

Secondment to support the retained IRMP objective and pay and allowances review project arising out of Grey Book job evaluation. Funding from the modernisation budget.

31 March 2007

Group Manager `B'

Internal secondment for RCC and Firelink projects.

50038764

Group Manager seconded to this project to address the `operational' issues that are outside the remit of the existing GFCO. 53K provided by the DCLG under the New Burdens Budget for this financial year.

2 May 2008

Group Manager ` B' internal secondment shift pattern project

50032439

Internally funded from modernisation reserve

31 March 2007

Group Manager `B'

HR Support Managers

(2 posts)

4007627/4007628

As part of MMR review these posts were designated as Station Manager A posts, but a business case submitted to maintain initially as Group Manager positions. One post is being used to undertake the RDS review and the other to manage the Equalities team.

April 2007and May 2007

Group Manager `A'

TFS Project Officer

50051683

Temporary arrangement extended to 31.3.2007. Funding provided by retirement of GM Reeves in TFS team. Temporary chain extended to 31.3.2007

31 March 2007

Regional Fire and Resilience Co-ordinator

T/Group Manager

50018784

A new regional post has been created which is not a HFRS specific temporary role, although the successful candidate is substantively a Station Manager in Hampshire. This is a Regional appointment funded by the DCLG until 31.3.2007.

31 March 2007

Station Manager (1 x `B' and 1 x Group Manager `A' posts) secondment to DCLG

50005760

50015869

DCLG

50005760 - Request received and approved from DCLG to increase this secondment arrangement to GM'A' salary rates wef September 2006

30 June 2007

23 February 2007

Station Manager `B'

Arson Task Force Officer

50038337

Pump priming funding has been received from HCC to establish an Arson Task Force, in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary, to tackle arson across the county.

31 August 2007

Temporary New Dimensions Regional Project Officer

SM `B'

50051523

Station Manager `B' post.

DCLG funding to 31.3.2007

31 March 2007

Temporary IRMP Project Manager

SM `A'

50054471

Principal Officers' decision to second to a temporary non established/non funded post to assist in the project management and production of the revised IRMP.

16 October 2006 to 31 March 2007

Central Services Manager

SM'A'

50053186

Post approved and funded from MMR efficiency savings: SMT 4 Sept 2006, PO's 14.9.2006

This post will ultimately be a green book position but is initially being established as a Station Manager `A' position.

15 January 2007

Senior Group Training Instructor (SM'A')

50047415

Trial arrangement funded by a vacant WM'B' position that has been held open in the training centre for a period of 4 months, which will fund the difference in pay rates. Cost aneutral.

No additional increase in establishment levels.

31 March 2007

Station Manager `A'

Fire Safety Engineer

50036178

AFD Reduction Strategy. Internal secondment. Will eventually become green book post.

31 July 2007

Station Manager `A'

MIRG Officer

50038707

Funded by keeping alternative CFS post for a CFS Group Support Manager vacant.

31 March 2007

Station Manager `A' secondment partnership support Southampton City Council

50028611

Southampton City Council

13 June 2007

Station Manager `B' training co-ordination and audit

(non grey book specific role)

40009028

Funding from NVQ income

Review 31 March 2007

Station Manager `A' Business Education Unit Manager (non grey book specific role)

40009030

Business Education income

31 March 2007

Station Manager `B' USAR

50024782

DCLG

Reviewed annually

Station Manager `B' secondment HCC Partnership Liaison Officer

50014036

Hampshire County Council (HCC)

Funding extended to 31 October 2007

Funding extended to 31 October 2007

Station Manager `A'- Secondment MCA Liaison

50024789

Maritime Coastal Agency (MCA)

Request approved to extend secondment until 31 March 2008

31 March 2008

Watch Manager `B' (2 posts)

Internal secondment for Command Training

(non establishment posts)

50037406/50037407

PO's meeting of 23/3/06 agreed to second 2 x WM'B' to SHQ Training Centre to develop Command Training.

31 March 2007

Watch Manager

(3 posts) USAR

50016815

50024781

50024783

DCLG

Reviewed annually

Watch Manager (2 posts) Business Education Training

40009169

40009170

Business Education income

31 March 2007

Watch Manager

Safety Compliance Officer

50039927

Temporary position for two years.

23 January 2008

Central Services Crew Manager

Crew Manager (General Duties Assistant) approved as central services restructure. To be filled initially by a crew manager for 6 months.

To be confirmed

Community Link Officer

(Crew Manager)

50042275

One year temporary arrangement, funded by Portsmouth City Council.

31 August 2007

Crew Manager (3 posts) USAR

50016806

50028368

50028369

DCLG

Reviewed annually

Crew Manager

Communications Facilitator

50021744

Funded from Modernisation budget until 31.3.07 then to be reviewed.

End 31 March 2007

Crew Manager

CFS Waterlooville

50042923

Funded from Waterlooville changes

1 April 07

FF*

CFS Waterlooville

50042924

Funded from Waterlooville changes

*Following a job evaluation of this post in September 2006, it was evaluated as a crew manager post

1 April 07

FF (3 posts) USAR

50036968

53336967

50028370

ODPM

Reviewed annually

Total

43 headcount

Note 1: End dates may be reviewed depending on funding/Project/Task need. Any that have changed during this period have been highlighted with Bold text.

Note 2: The USAR posts above are those posts which are on a full time contract to provide UK based support, although all the above team members have retained USAR contracts as well. Funding is provided by DCLG as per their requirements, it is reviewed annually with no end date given.

Retained Duty System Establishment - Represented as 24 hour cover units (See Note 1 Below) Grey Book

Role

Authorised

Establishment (FTE)

Actual Establishment (FTE)

Watch Manager A

46

57.25

Crew Manager

112

97.75

Ff

470

447

Total

628

602 (26 Full Time Equivalent under establishment)

Note 1: Retained cover is measured in units with 1 unit equalling a period of full cover 1 FTE, a part unit equals 0.75 cover FTE. Actual establishment figures includes 4 x Animal Rescue specialists that also undertake retained duties.

Note 2: Increase in actual establishment from 599.25 FTE to 602 FTE, although overall 26 FTE under establishment. This is a further improvement in the number of Retained Duty System crew members.

Externally Funded Team

Funded by ODPM - Urban Search and Rescue Team (UK Team - On Retained USAR Contracts) Grey Book

Authorised

Establishment (Head Count)

Externally/Other Funded (Head Count)

Actual Establishment (Head Count)

0

33

33

Note 1: As recorded under the wholetime establishment externally/other funded posts, 10 posts also have one of the above 33 USAR retained contracts. The USAR retained employees provide cover in a similar way to retained duty system employees. However, they are shown above as head count only.

Control Establishment (Grey Book)

Authorised Establishment

FTE

Externally/

Other Funded

Actual

Establishment

FTE

40*

4**

39.5

* This figure excludes 1 Full Time Equivalent for the post of Database Co- Ordinator (CCC) that is included under the green book establishment.

The following is a summary of all existing Externally/Other Funded (Control Room ) secondment arrangements that are in place:

Post Title/Reference Code

Funding Source

Start/End Dates

Firelink/Firecontrol

Project Manager

50074959

The funding source is DCLG New Burdens. The post is covered by the secondment of a Control Senior Control Operator, for 1 year.

    The former postholder GFCO Control has been seconded for 12 Months to the DCLG.

    January 2007 to December 20072007 to 7 Jan 2008

Secondment to DCLG Fire Control Design Team

500540079

Whilst this individual will remain on our establishment profile, funding for this position will be reimbursed by the DCLG. Additional temporary appointment will be made to backfill this Control Room vacancy.

    8 Jan 2007 to 7 Jan 2008

Secondment to DCLG Fire Control Design Team

50054080

Whilst this individual will remain on our establishment profile, funding for this position will be reimbursed by the DCLG. Additional temporary appointment will be made to backfill this Control Room vacancy.

    8 Jan 2007 to 7 Jan 2008

FBU full time Trade Union Official

50074598

80% of funding from FBU. Position to be filld by HFRS Senior Control Operator seconded to this position. 4 year arrangement.

    1 Feb 2007 to 31 Jan 2011

Total

4 FTE

Green Book Establishment (Including Incident Support Teams (IST))

Authorised

Establishment

(Full Time Equivalent FTE)

Externally/Other Funded

Actual Establishment Full time Equivalent (FTE)

IST

48

(Head Count)

-

37

(Head Count)

Other

251.85

15.27

254.52 (12.60FTE under establishment)*

299.85*

15.27**

291.52

Note: IST. Whilst they do not cover 1 FTE, they are counted in the above figures as 1 Team Member equalling 1 FTE. The IST which includes the Emergency Catering Team and the Incident Command Team has a head count establishment of 48 included in the figures above.

* Please note the total establishment figure has decreased by 2.17 FTE since the last report, reducing to 299.85 from 302.02 FTE . The following is a summary of the changes that have occurred to make up this figure:

- Central Service Team - various changes in hours of existing employees, movement of 1 FTE from Media Team to Central Services, deletion of a part time post and creation of an alternative position gives a net increase of + 0.83 FTE

- Business Education Unit. Deletion of 1 FTE and another post is now externally funded. Decrease of 2 FTE.

- Media Team - decrease of 1 FTE following the movement of a post to the central services team.

* We currently have 12 agency temps within HFRS. Two are undertaking short term project work, two are providing maternity cover, two are covering long term sickness, two are covering a long term career development opportunity and the remainder current vacancies for which we are actively recruiting.

**Externally/Other funded arrangements - the number of arrangements in place has increased overall by 0.5 full time equivalent during the period in question, changing from 14.77 to 15.27 Full Time Equivalent posts

Based on the headcount figures above for this period we have a total of 15.27 posts that receive external or other funding. The following is a summary of these posts and the changes during this period:

Externally/Other Funded Posts Breakdown (Green Book)

The following details new posts that are to be externally or alternatively funded, the funding source and end date. These changes have occurred during the period 1 January 2007 to 28 February 2007.

    Post Title/Area/Position Number

Funding Source

    End Date

Administrator ( Information Services)

0.5 FTE

50054819 Funded from other vacancies in the section. 30.6.2007

Funded from other vacancies in the section

    30 June 2007

Fire Safety Officer - Business Education Unit. Temporary position to implement the HFRS strategy for the reduction of unwanted AFA's.

50039612

1 FTE

n.b. Previously reported, but not actioned

Funded from modernisation budget

31 March 2007

Storekeeper

1 FTE

Business case to increase size of team due to long term sickness

Total

2.50 Full Time Equivalent

The following is a summary of all other existing Externally/Other Funded arrangements that are in place for Green Book positions:

Post Title/Area/position number

Funding Source

End Date

Community Safety Youth Support Officer (Portsmouth and Havant Group)

50051524

LPSA 1 Reward Grant for a 13 month period. Maximum£30 k

December 2007

Community Safety Firesetter Intervention Practioner

(Southampton Group)

50051682

Southampton City Council and Hampshire Constabulary from Southampton Safer and Stronger Communities Fund. Temporary funding for 1 year

November 2007

Temporary Storekeeper

50054613

To cover long term sickness of Deputy Supplies Manager and the vacancy of Storekeeper for a three month period.

5 April 2007

Training Support Administrator - Driver Training

Scale D

50047277

Funding for post prior to 1 April 2007 is from the savings from the vacant positions within the whole Driver Training team.

1 April 2007

USAR Administrator

50024890

DCLG

Reviewed annually

Arson Forum Data Inputter

50002512

LPSA

March 2007

GDA Home Fire Safety Visits (2 FTE)

50012774

50028477

DCLG

March 2008

CFS Home Fire Safety Data Inputter

1 year temporary position

50037102

DCLG

1 May 2007

Schools Fire Safety Instructor

(0.77 FTE)

50018787

Children's Fire and Burns Trust

July 2008

Prince's Trust Delivery Partner Manager

50012085

Prince's Trust

Became permanent post wef 1 December 2006

Prince's Trust Co-ordinator

40009172

Prince's Trust

Became permanent post wef 1 December 2006

Prince's Trust Basic Skills Next Steps Facilitator

50032688

Prince's Trust

Additional Funding received to 1 December 2008

Communications Executive

1 year temporary position to fulfil the objectives outlined in the Corporate Marketing and Communications Strategy Document.

50036720

Modernisation Budget

31 March 2007

Total

12.77 FTE

5

Green Book Variations to Establishment

Under the Chief Officer's delegated powers, the following variations have taken place to the establishment (excluding grading changes) in the time period 1 January 2007 to 28 February 2007 and have not been previously reported to the Human Resources Committee:

Post

Action

Position Number

Technical Training Assistant

(Business Education Unit)

Scale E

1FTE

Post deleted to contribute to income shortfall in unit.

Vacant position

40009260

Administrator ( Finance)

Grade D

0.5 FTE

Temporary arrangement to cover career break of existing team member for period 27.11.2006 to 30.11.2007

40007508

Secretary to HR Director

Grade E

1FTE

Secretary To Service Delivery

Grade E

0.6 FTE

New posts created as part of SMT/Structure review. Effective from 2 April 2007.

50054827

Central Services Team

Administrator

Grade C

As part of the restructuring of this team, position 40007514 has been deleted (0.54 FTE).

Vacant Position.

Position 40007515 hours reduced at the request of the post holder. Now 0.43 FTE

These changes will support the funding of an additional Full time post in this team initially for a two year contract.( Additional funding for 0.03 FTE taken from changes to receptionist posts below)

40007514

40007515

50055965

Receptionists

Position 40007511 hours increased from 0.56 to 0.64 FTE.

Position 40007510 hours decreased from 0.57 to 0.43 FTE.

Overall 0.06 FTE decrease in FTE

40007511

40007510

Support Services Supervisor

1FTE

Post moved from marketing and media team to join Central Services team.

40008948

6

Financial Implications

All posts are being funded by the existing budget arrangements, which where advised includes external/other funding.

7

Consultation

This report has been compiled in conjunction with the finance department and aligns with the information forwarded to the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

8

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

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

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers

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

(2) Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act

laj/C/H/HFRA HR 20 4 07

27 March 2007