Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Human Resources Committee Item 6

21 September 2007

Establishment

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: T/ACO Bob Ratcliffe - Director of HR and Training Tel: 023 644000 ext 2362

1

Summary

1.1

This report brings the Committee up to date on the authorised and actual establishment, as of 31 July 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 in June 2007. This report identifies any further variations across all employee groups within the time period 1 May 2007 to 31 July 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

Recommendations

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 31 July 2007

4.1

The tables below reflect the authorised establishment figures as at 31 July 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)

Directors

3

0

3

Assistant Chief Officers

2

1

3

Area Managers

B

2

0

2

A

4**

0

4

Group Managers

B

13***

4

17

A

17****

1

18

Station Managers

B

34*****

5

41

A

10******

7

15

Watch Managers

B

85*******

4

86

A

18

5

22

Crew Managers

104

7

98

Firefighters

483

5

498

Total

775

39

807 ( 7 FTE UNDER establishment)

* T/ACO/ Area Manager arrangements

Please note the total establishment figure has increased by 3 FTE since the last report . The following is a summary of the changes that have occurred to make up this figure:

Principal Officers - Title changed to Directors. No change in number of posts.

*T/ACO - The arrangement to cover the vacancy of Director HR and Training has been extended to October 2007 to enable the completion of handover arrangements with the new postholder.

** Area Manager `A' - Increase of 4 FTE since the last report.

SE HR Partnership Regional Secondment position 50036966 post deleted 31.5.2007

The following positions have been created to support the changes in the new Service Delivery Directorate:

Position 50077913 AM Response Delivery has been created - funded from GM'A' position 50008905 which has been deleted.

Position 50077914 AM Response Support has been created - fund from GM'B' position 40007624 which has been deleted.

Position 50077915 AM Community Safety Delivery has been created - fund from confirming the post of GM'B' HR support Manager position 40007627 on the establishment and then moving to fund the Area Manager post.

Position 50077916 AM Community Safety has been created - fund from confirming the GM'B' position HR Support Manager 50022533 on the establishment and then moving to fund the Area Manager post.

***GM'B' - Increase of 1 FTE since the last report. Changed position 40007623 Command Strategy and Specialist response post, converted from Operations Support Manager.

HR Support Mangers x2 added and used to fund AM posts.

Created Response Support Group Manager , position 50032439, as a permanent position. Previously temporary post of Shift Pattern Project.

****GM `A' - Decrease of 2 FTE since the last report.

GM'A' position 50008905 has been deleted to fund the AM post.

Temp Fire Safety Engineer Enforcement position 50037593 deleted.

***** SM `B' - Increase of 1 FTE since the last report.

Position 40009013 SM Command Strategy and Specialist Response created.

****** SM `A' - Increase of 1 FTE since the last report.

Sm'Dev' position of Central and Support Services Manager - the postholder has completed his development programme and is now a SM'A'.

******** WM `B' - Increase of 2 FTE since the last report.

Watch Manager ( Cosham) 4 FTE posts regraded from WM'A' to WM'B' wef 1 July 2007 in accordance with job evaluation procedures.

Fire Safety Officer East Group ( 2 FTE) positions 40009092 and 50012155 were changed to green book positions wef April 2007.

WM'A' - decrease of 4 FTE since the last report.

Watch Manager ( Cosham) 4 FTE posts regraded from WM'A' to WM'B' wef 1 July 2007 in accordance with job evaluation procedures.

An additional Watch Manager (SPSR) position is to be created from the transfer of position number 40009013 to support this directorate. No change to establishment levels.

Crew Managers - Decrease of 4 FTE since the last report.

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 39 posts that receive external or other funding, A decrease of 6 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 May 2007 to 31 July 2007.

Post Title/Area

Funding Source

Start/End Date

Crew Manager RDS project

Funding from group budget to assist with project implementation arrangements for a six month period .

1.4.07 to 1.10.2007

Total

1 additional post added (1 FTE)

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

Covering Director of HR and Training vacancy.

Arrangement amended and extended to October 2007

October 2007

Area Manager Regional Secondment South East HR Partnership

50036966

SE HR Partnership

Arrangement amended, post will discontinue wef 31 May 2007

Post Deleted

31 May 2007

Assistant Fire Resilience

Co-ordinator

Group manager

50054726

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

30 June 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.

Post added to establishment to fund Area Managers

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

Post added to establishment to fund Response Group Support Manager Position.

31 March 2007

Group Manager `B'

HR Support Managers

(2 posts)

40007627/40007628

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.

Second Post added to establishment to fund Area Managers

April 2007and May 2007

Group Manager `A'

Temporary Fire Safety Engineer Enforcement

50037593

Temporary arrangement to cover the recent retirements of 2 x Group Manager `B'. Funded from vacancies.

Arrangement extended until 31 July 2007

Post Deleted wef 1 August 2007

Extended to 31 July 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 .

Arrangement Extended.

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 funded.

Arrangement extended to 31 July 2007.

31 July 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.

Extended to 30 September 2007

31 September 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.

Extended to 3 September 2007

3 September

2007

Station Manager `B' training co-ordination and audit

(non grey book specific role)

40009028

Funding from NVQ income

Awaiting confirmation of funding arrangements.

Review 31 March 2007

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

40009030

Business Education income

Arrangement extended to 31 March 2008

31 March 2008

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.

Arrangement extended to 3 September 2007 , funding from HR vacant posts.

3 September

2007

Rural Safety Officer

Watch Manager A

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

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 2008

Watch Manager

Safety Compliance Officer

50039927

Temporary position for two years.

23 January 2008

Crew Manager

Central and Support services

50074784

Post established to set up procedures for the Personnel Reserve arrangements. Funded from Green Book.

26.3.2007 to 26.9.2007

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.

Arrangement extended for a further 12 months.

End 31 March 2008

LIFE Project Instructors

2 Firefighter Posts

50074560

50074561

In order to deliver the outstanding LIFE courses within HFRS it has been agreed at PO's that 2 firefighters will be seconded full time to undertake these duties. Each of the firefighters will continue to be funded through their existing budgetary codes, so will not be backfilled.

12 Months

Wef 1.4.2007

FF (3 posts) USAR

50036968

53336967

50028370

ODPM

Reviewed annually

Total

38 FTE 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

47

60.25

Crew Manager

114

96

Ff

487*

443.75

Total

648*

600 ( 48 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.

* The establishment levels have been increased by a total of 8 FTE :- This represents an increase of the retained establishment based at Service Headquarters following the move of an RDS pump from Eastleigh Fire Station to SHQ as outlined in the IRMP.

* The overall actual establishment has increased from 596 FTE to 600 FTE, although overall 48 FTE under establishment. The movement of employees between locations has resulted in some changes to the ability of WDS employees to also provide RDS cover. Group managers have initiated recruitment activities to address these shortfalls on their respective stations.

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

31

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

41.2*

4.8

42**

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

** The figure is currently over establishment due to the fact that one secondee terminated the arrangement and returned to HFRS. A replacement control operator had already been engaged for the full 12 month period and will remain with us for the duration of her contract. This will provide cover for maternity periods.

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

50005131

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

The individual on this secondment return to the service 8 months earlier than the original contracted period.

FBU full time Trade Union Official

50074598

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

    1 Feb 2007 to 31 Jan 2011

Total

3.80 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)

-

40

(Head Count)

Other

258.69

17.27

259.95 (16.01 FTE under establishment)*

306.69*

17.27**

299.95

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 increased by 3.55 FTE since the last report, to 306.69 from 303.14 FTE .

* We currently have 12 agency temps within HFRS. Four are undertaking Home Fire Safety visit data inputting, three are covering long term sickness, three are covering a long term career development opportunity and the remainder current vacancies for which we are actively recruiting.

**Externally/Other funded arrangements - the total number of arrangements in place has increased by 2 FTE, from15.27 to 17.27 FTE, however some arrangements have ceased and been replaced by others. A full breakdown is given below.

Based on the headcount figures above for this period we have a total of 17.27 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 May 2007 to 31 July 2007.

    Post Title/Area/Position Number

Funding Source

    End Date

RCC Project Co-ordinator

50077662 Funded from other vacancies in the section. 30.6.2007

DCLG funding for a 12 month period. ( 1 FTE)

    1 April 2008

Prince's Trust Next Steps Facilitator

50080102

12 months additional funding from Prince's trust.(1 FTE)

1 September 2008

Total

2 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

Marketing and Communications Executive

50074890

Fund from branding review budget for a period of 6 months.

October 2007

Administrator ( Information Services)

0.5 FTE

50054819

Funded from other vacancies in the section

Arrangement extended to 3 September 2007

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

50039612

1 FTE

Funded from modernisation budget

Arrangement extended to July 2007

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 for 6 months

USAR Administrator

50024890

DCLG

Reviewed annually

Arson Forum Data Inputter

50002512

LPSA

March 2008

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

15.27 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 May 2007 to 31 July 2007 and have not been previously reported to the Human Resources Committee:

Post

Action

Position Number

Project Facilitator

( Performance Review team)

New Post. 12 month internal secondment. Fund from contingency paper. Arrangement to end 28.6.2008

50079413

Equality and Diversity Manager

( No change to establishment level)

New Post. Created 17.5.07 to replace previous group manager position. Funding from removal of one outreach worker position in Basingstoke that had been filled by a Fire Fighter.

50033458 deleted

50077661

Fire Safety Officer East Group

( +2 FTE)

Two grey book posts deleted from the establishment and two green book positions created.

50012155

40009092

Fire Safety Officer North Group

( +2 FTE)

Two grey book posts deleted from the establishment and two green book positions created.

50002697

40009145

Trainer

(Business Education Unit)

( no change to establishment levels)

Trainer post deleted to enable postholder to have alternative administrative position in Training team. Redeployment under the DDA.

40008665 deleted

50074559

HR Administrators

( Workforce Support)

No change to existing establishment levels.

Agreement reached to create 2 x part time/term time arrangements for two existing team members with child care commitments.

Post 40007534 to be split as 0.33/0.67 = 1 FTE

40007534

Total change 4 FTE

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

lh/C/H/HFRA HR 21 9 07

13 August 2007