Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

15/03/2005Human Resources Committee Item 9

11 April 2008

SE Employers Charter for Elected Member Development

Contact: Mark Rayner Tel : 02380 644000 ext 2344 Email : [email protected]

    This Item has been added to the agenda with the agreement of the Chairman under Section 100 (b)(4) Local Government Act 1972 submitted as a matter of urgency by reason of the need for the Human Resources Committee to consider this item prior to the next meeting of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

1

    Summary

1.1

The Fire and Rescue Service - National Framework document 2006-08 makes clear the Government's expectations regarding Performance Management - People must have assurance that public services are delivered efficiently and effectively. Fire Authority Members perform a crucial role in guiding the continual improvement of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. As the service strives towards `excellent', our Fire Authority Members will need to maintain and update their knowledge and understanding of a range of issues to maintain the highest levels of service that the Authority provides.

1.2

Members have previously agreed as an Authority to the signing of the South East Employers Charter for Elected Member Development (HFRA 26th September 2007) and working towards achieving the award in the coming years.

1.3

This report outlines the benefits to the Authority in gaining the Charter and recommends that the Authority proceeds to `sign-up' to the Charter. It further proposes the establishment of a cross-party working group to act as champions, to oversee the completion of the self-assessment and deliver the future action plan to fully achieve the award.

2

    RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.(s)

2.1

The Human Resource (HR) Committee recommend to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority (HFRA) the sign-up to the South East Employers (SEE) Charter for Elected Member Development and work towards achievement of the award.

2.2

The HR Committee recommend to the HFRA the establishment of a cross-party steering group (1 Member from each party) act as champions, to oversee the completion of the self-assessment and deliver the future action plan to fully achieve the award.

3

    Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.and Background

3.1

The Fire and Rescue Service faces increasing expectations from both Government and the public. We are experiencing need for greater diversity in the services we provide in order to make our communities even safer. The role of Fire Authority Members is critical as we make risk-based decisions on allocation of resources and future planning.

3.2

    Whilst Members receive development within their own authorities, their position on the Fire Authority inevitably requires additional specialist knowledge and skills to support them to undertake their roles effectively. The previous agreement of the Member Awareness Framework recognised the need for a structured approach to Member development within the existing meeting structures.

3.3

Members have agreed to the Authority signing up to the South East Charter for Elected Member Development (HFRA 26th September 2007) and to work towards achieving the award in the coming years. The Charter provides an opportunity to establish a systematic and co-ordinated framework for Member Development and will build on the Member Awareness Framework previously agreed by the Authority.

3.4

As the Authority strives to move from a `good' to an `excellent' authority, the service as a whole will need to continue update and improve our skills and keep up to date with new developments. Achievement of the Charter will demonstrate the Authorities commitment to ongoing Member Development and establish the necessary structures to ensure future learning and development provides maximum benefit to the communities we serve.

4

    Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

4.1

Commitment to, and achievement of, the Charter will establish the Authorities' commitment to ongoing development and will support achievement of the corporate aims and objectives. It will help ensure that the Authority Members continue to develop their skills and specialist knowledge and will help ensure Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) continues to move towards being an `excellent' Service.

5

South East Employers - Charter for Elected Member Development

5.1

Success in achieving `excellent' in future government assessments will partially depend on a clear demonstration of investment in, and the effectiveness of, Elected Member development.

5.2

    The SEE, in conjunction with the Improvement & Development Agency (IDeA), have developed a Charter for Elected Member Development -http://www.seemp.co.uk/councillors/emcharter.htm. There are a number of milestones in achieving the Charter and these are:

    · Commitment to Member Development.

    · Strategic approach to Member Development.

    · Member learning and development plan in place.

    · Learning and development is effective in building capacity.

· Elected Member Development promotes work life balance and citizenship.

5.3

    These milestones will be achieved through a Member led self-assessment process and development of a resulting action plan to achieve any identified areas of improvement. Support in achieving the Charter will be provided by SEE and the IDeA. The Training and Development Department within HFRS will provide internal support to the Working Group and the Authority as it progresses towards the Charter.

5.4

    There are 5 stages to achievement of the Charter:

    Stage 1 - Signing up to the Charter and developing an Action Plan

    Stage 2 - Improving the development of Elected Members

    Stage 3 - Assessment

    Stage 4 - Awarding the Charter

    Stage 5 - Re-assessment (after 3 years)

    It is anticipated that from signing up to the Charter and achieving the award takes approximately 18-24 months, depending on the areas identified within the Action Plan.

5.5

    Benefits of achieving the Charter include establishing a Member led process to place ownership of development with the Members, establishing clearly defined development opportunities for Members, strengthened arrangements for Member development, improved use of capacity and recognition of commitment to Member development in future service assessments. It is also anticipated that the successful implementation of the Charter will include greater involvement of Members in key HFRS development activities and closer working with Officers of the Service in a variety of strategic contexts.

6

Establishment of a cross-party steering group

6.1

Achievement of the Charter will require the Authority to commit resources in order to progress the self-assessment process and develop the initial Action Plan. It is recommended that the HR Committee propose to the HFRA the appointment of a cross-party steering group, with one Member from each political party. Support to this group will be provided by the Training and Development Department to help progress the work.

6.2

In establishing membership of this steering group, consideration should be given to the membership being drawn from across the Authority, and not specifically from the HR Committee members, although it might be helpful for one of the steering group to also be a member of the HR Committee. This will enable the HR Committee to establish an independent scrutiny role, with the Steering Group reporting to the HR Committee on progress of the work.

6.3

When the Action Plan is developed, the make-up of the Steering Group may be reviewed to ensure that it can continue to deliver the leadership required to ensure that the Action Plan retains a high profile and continuous progress towards the award of the Charter.

7

    Risk Analysis

7.1

    The fire and rescue service is in a period of substantial and sustained change as the expectations of the public and Government continue to grow. Achievement of the SE Charter for Elected Member Development will support Members in identifying and leading their own development, therefore supporting the HFRA in making future risk-based decisions to ensure delivery of its strategic priorities.

8

Resource/Financial Implications

8.1

Human Resources

Establishment of a Steering Group will require one Member from each party to progress the work. This will be co-ordinated and supported by the existing resources of the Training and Development Department. Future development opportunities for Members will be delivered within the Member Awareness Framework as previously agreed.

9.2

Physical Resources

These will be provided from within existing Service resources.

9.3

Information and Communications Technology Resources

These will be provided from within existing Service resources.

9.4

Financial Implications

There is a one off cost of registering for the Charter of £3000 and provision for this has been made within the Training budget for the coming year. There are no further direct costs involved with the Charter and any further costs resulting from the Action Plan will need to be found from within existing budgets.

9.5

There may be opportunities to seek funding from Capacity Building Funds from the SE Fire Improvement Partnership where such activities can provide a cross-regional benefit.

10

Equality Impact Assessment

10.1

An Equality Impact Assessment has been carried out on this proposal and no negative impacts are identified. See Appendix A

11

Consultation

11.1

As the work on achieving the Charter develops, consultation with all Members will be undertaken to ensure that their full understanding and engagement in the work is achieved.

11.2

    Previous work to progress opportunities for Member development has been agreed by the HR Committee with the support from Councillor Payne and Councillor Baulk.

12

    Conclusion

12.1

The role of Fire Authority Members is more crucial now than ever before in taking the service forward. As Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service strives to become an excellent FRS we will need the ongoing support and guidance of Fire Authority Members to achieve our aspirations.

Achievement of the SE Charter for Elected Member Development will establish a systematic and co-ordinated framework for Member development within the Authority. This will demonstrate the commitment of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority to the ongoing development of Authority Members against a national benchmark.

    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:

    South East Charter for Elected Member Development - Guidance

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