Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on 1 February, 2008

PRESENT:

Councillors: K. Chapman (Chairman); M.G. Cooper; E.F. Gale; D. Horne; R.J. Kimber; R.C. McIntosh; Sam Payne.

132 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.J. Baulk and K. House.

133 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally, at the time of debate, declare their interest and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Fire Authority's Code of Conduct consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Code.

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

134 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30 November, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

135 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that Councillor Sue Jackson had tendered her resignation as a Member of the Authority and as a Member of this Committee with effect from 31 January, 2008. The new Member appointed by Southampton City Council in Councillor Jackson's place was Councillor P. Galton.

136 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

137 ESTABLISHMENT

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the actual and authorised establishment as of 30 November, 2007.

RESOLVED:

That the changes to the establishment under the Chief Officer's delegated powers, contained within the report be noted.

138 ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRES

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) about using the Assessment and Development Centres Scheme in relation to future supervisor, middle and strategic manager promotions. Members wished to receive a further update in due course.

RESOLVED:

    (a) That the Committee note the work that has been completed to date to implement the Assessment and Development Centres Scheme.

    (b) That the Committee agree that the Service continues to implement these arrangements to ensure skilled managers are available at all levels of the organisation to meet future Service needs.

    (c) That the Committee receive a further progress report on this item in twelve months time.

139 EQUAL PAY PROJECT

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on progress in relation to the implementation of a structure for Equal Pay. It was noted that the current thinking on the expected pay model appeared as Appendix A to the report and was being proposed as the basis for negotiation with Trade Union colleagues.

RESOLVED:

    (a) That the Committee note the work that has been completed to date to progress the Equal Pay Project.

    (b) That the Service completes the process to introduce the necessary changes that will help ensure equal pay principles are applied across the organisation within its financial limits.

140 CORPORATE EQUALITY PLAN

The Authority considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the proposed adoption of a draft Corporate Equality Plan to facilitate the achievement of levels 3 and 4 of the Equality Standard for Local Government.

RESOLVED:

    (a) That the Committee recommend to the Authority that a commitment is made to adopt a Corporate Equality Plan.

    (b) That the time frames for achieving Level 3 (December, 2008) and Level 4 (December, 2010) be accepted.

    (c) That the Committee note the financial implications that will be required to deliver on the Corporate Equality Plan, and that further financial consideration in relation to this will be needed.

141 INVESTORS IN PEOPLE ACCREDITATION

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) about the Investors in People accreditation in relation to the HFRS. Members congratulated the Service on its accreditation and paid particular tribute to the work undertaken by Area Manager Bob Ratcliffe on this matter..

RESOLVED:

    (a) That the Committee note the success of the Service in gaining Investors in People accreditation with effect from 22 November, 2007.

    (b) That the continued future development and improvement against the Investors in People standard be reported to this Committee in an annual report.

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