Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Human Resources Committee Item 6

11 April 2008

Establishment

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Geoff Howsego - Director of Human Resources Tel: 02380 644000 ext 2362

1

Summary

1.1

This report brings the Committee up to date on the authorised and actual establishment, as of 29 February 2008 . 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 February 2008. This report identifies any further variations across all employee groups within the time period 1 December 2007 to 29 February 2008. 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 29 February 2008

4.1

The tables below reflect the authorised establishment figures as at 29 February 2008 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

0

2 *

Area Managers

B

2

0

2

A

4

0

4

Group Managers

B

8

4**

11

A

21

1

22

Station Managers

B

35

4

36

A

9

7***

15

Watch Managers

B

94

8****

82

A

15

4*****

35

Crew Managers

102

8******

112

Firefighters

489

4*******

510 - includes 17 current trainees on the initial training course

Total

784

40

834 ( 10 FTE over establishment)

Please note the total establishment figure has increased by 12 FTE since the last report . The following is a summary of the changes that have occurred to make up this figure:

A wholetime trainee course of 18 candidates is running to fill our future predicted vacancies at this level.

Directors - No change in number of posts since the last report.

*Assistant Chief Officers - Reduction of 1 FTE. The temporary arrangement to cover the induction period of the Director HR and Training ended on 3 December 2007 and the post holder resumed his substantive position of Area Manager ( Special Projects and Specialist Response).

Area Managers `B' & `A' - No change in number of posts since the last report.

**Group Manager 'B' & `A' - Reduction of 1 FTE since the last report. The project officer post for the Regional Control Centre was deleted on 1.1.2008. The post holder retired at this time but has agreed to undertake a fixed term contract for three months to complete various project actions.

Station Manager `B' - Increase of 1 FTE Since the last report. Business Education Manager ( 40009030) business case for a SM'B' non FDS post was established, post to be funded from income.

***Station Manager `A' - Increase of 1 FTE. Increase in externally funded post by DCLG for an Enhanced Command Support Trainer ( Temporary Secondment) for 9 Months.

****Watch Manager `B' - Increase of 2 FTE since the last report. Additional funding received for the USAR team, increase in establishment of +4 FTE. Home Fire Safety Visit Co-ordinator post deleted (40009025)from grey book establishment and changed to Green book post( -1 FTE). Wm Research and Development (40009078) Grey book post to be deleted from the establishment and changed to Green Book Position by 31.3.2008.(-1 FTE)

*****Watch Manager `A' - Increase of 2 FTE since last report. 1 FTE to cover temporary funding of additional Research and Development post, position number 40009078. Post will change to Green book wef 1 April 08 and 1 FTE - 50039927- Watch Manager Safety Compliance has been added to the establishment as a permanent position.

*******Crew Managers - Increase of 3 FTE since the last report.

Temporary position number ( 50092783) established for City Response Risk funded from vacancy in the department; Temporary position number ( 50096975) established for IRS Report Officer and an additional position to support the RDS crew at St Mary's (50074657).

*******Firefighters(FF) - Increase of 5 FTE since the last report.

1 Firefighter post created as Service Fitness Adviser to cover the Green Book vacancy.

Increased number of trainees for this new course.

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 40 posts that receive external or other funding, an increase of 3 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 December 2007 to 29 February 2008.

Post Title/Area

Funding Source

Start/End Date

USAR

WM'B'

50092086

50092087

50092088

50092089

Four additional posts to be funded from the New Dimension Project with a Section 31 grant.(+4 FTE)

1 Feb 08 for 3 years

Enhanced Command Support Trainer

SM'A'

50092782

Funded by CLG from the New Dimension Project budget.(+1 FTE)

28.1.2008 to

31.10.2008

Service Fitness Adviser

WM'B'

50091879

Funded from green book vacancy (+1 FTE)

12.12.2007 to

31 March 2008

Crew Manager

50096975

IRS project- funded from `New Burdens' grant for Fire Control project.(+1 FTE)

Jan 08 to September 2008

Crew Manager rds Project

50074657

Internally funded from Group budget for 6 months.(+1 FTE)

October 07

Total

8 additional post added (8 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

Assistant Fire Resilience

Co-ordinator

Group manager

50018784

Secondee returning to HFRS on 1 March 08. Post not included in totals.

29.2.2008

Command Strategy and Specialist Response

Group Manager `B'

40007623

Funded from training income for 2007/8.

Will be added to the permanent establishment wef 1 April 2008.

31 March 2008

Risk Intelligence Manager

Group Manager 'A'

50082229

Internal funding from MS and Section 13 charges.

31 August 2008

Group Manager `B'

HR Support Manager

(1 posts)

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.

Arrangement extended to August 2008

August 2008

Special Projects and Specialist Response

Station Manager `B'

50038707

Funded from training income for 2007/8

Will be added to the permanent establishment wef 1 April 2008.

31 March 2008

CFPIG

Station Manager 'B'

50081642

Crown Premises inspection group. 1 year secondment.

11 June 2008

Station Manager (1 x `B' and 1 x Group Manager `A' posts) secondment to Communities and Local Government (CLG)

50005760

50015869

Both secondees returning to HFRS on 1 April 2008.

31 March 2008

Station Manager `B'

Arson Task Force Officer

50038337

Post continuing until 31 March 2008 funding from Directors.

31 March 2008

Temporary New Dimensions Regional Project Officer

Station Manager 'B'

50051523

Station Manager `B' post.

DCLG funded.

Arrangement extended

31 March 2008

Station Manager `A'

Fire Safety Engineer

50036178

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

Arrangement extended to 30 September 2008

30 September 2008

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

40009030

Business Education income

Arrangement extended to 31 March 2008. Business case produced to maintain post as SM `A' on the establishment from April 2008.

31 March 2008

Station Manager `B' Urban Search And Rescue

50024782

DCLG

Reviewed annually

Station Manager `A'- Secondment MCA Liaison

50024789

Maritime Coastal Agency (MCA)

Secondee returning to HFRS 1 April 2008

31 March 2008

SE Region Water Rescue Project Secondment

WM'B'

50050916

SEFIP funded for six months wef 6.12.2007 to develop a training solution for working on or near water.

5 June 2008

Watch Manager `B' (2 posts)

Internal secondment for Command Training

(non establishment posts)

50037406/50037407

Arrangements to be funded from Training Centre income until 31.3.2009

31 March 2009

Firelink/Firecontrol project support officer

Watch Manager 'A'

50082228

Externally Funded by CLG from project programme for 1 year. Review annually.

31 August 2008

Rural Safety Officer

Watch Manager A

50043050

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 a neutral

Arrangement extended to 31 March 2008

31 March 2008

Watch Manager

(3 posts) USAR

50016815

50024781

50024783

DCLG

Reviewed annually

Youth Interaction Officer

Crew Manager

50081784

Funded from pump priming grant initially for 2 years from Southampton City Council.

31 August 2009

Crew Manager (3 posts) Urban Search And Rescue

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

Environmental Review Project Co-ordinator ( non grey specific)

Firefighter

50083417

Funded from Middle Managers Review for 12 months from 1 October 2007

30 September 2008

LIFE Project Instructors

2 Posts

50074560

50074561

Increased to 2 Posts ( 1 Crew Manager and 1 Firefighter)

31 March 2008

FF (3 posts) Urban Search And Rescue

50036968

53336967

50028370

Communities and Local Government (CLG)

Reviewed annually

Total

32 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 Urban Search And Rescue (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 the Communities and Local Government ( CLG) as per their requirements, it is reviewed annually with no end date given. Funding has just been confirmed for the period 2008 - 2011.

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

Role

Authorised

Establishment (FTE)

Actual Establishment Full Time Equivalent(FTE)

Watch Manager A

50

64

Crew Manager

114

94.5

Ff

487

441.5

Total

651*

602.00 ( 49 Full Time Equivalent ( FTE)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 overall authorised establishment has increased by 3 FTE since the last report and the actual establishment has decreased slightly from 602 FTE to 600.00 FTE, although overall 49 FTE under establishment. Although there are a further 8 people undertaking the initial training course in February/March 2008 to fill RDS vacancies at various locations. Additional recruitment activities are being planned/undertaken in local communities by Group Managers.

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

29

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

40.2

3.80

40

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

Firelink/Firecontrol

Project Manager

50005131

This post is on the establishment although filled by a substantive Senior Control Operator on secondment until 7 January 2009.

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 Project Support Officer

Funded from the Regional Control Centre budget from CLG. New Post

    3 January 2008

    Initially for 12 month period.

Secondment to DCLG Fire Control Design Team

50074959

Group Fire Control Officer (GFCO). Control has been seconded for 12 Months to the Communities and Local Government (CLG).

Extended to Feb 2009.

    Feb 2008

    Extended to Feb 2009.

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 CLG. Additional temporary appointment will be made to backfill this Control Room vacancy.

N.B. This post holder has subsequently requested to return to HFRS early i.e. from March 2009.

    Extended to 7 Jan 2009

FBU full time Trade Union Official

50074598

80% of funding from Fire Brigades Union ( 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

258.68

20.17

268.46 (10.39 FTE under establishment)*

306.68*

20.17**

326.85

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 authorised establishment figure has increased by 0.992 FTE since the last report.

* We currently have 10 agency temps within HFRS. Four are undertaking Home Fire Safety visit data inputting, three are undertaking data inputting duties in the Risk Intelligence team, one is covering long term sickness, and the final person is covering a secondment.

**Externally/Other funded arrangements - the total number of arrangements in place has increased by 3.4 FTE, from 16.77 to 20.17 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 20.17 FTE 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 December 2007 to 29 February 2008.

    Post Title/Area/Position Number

Funding Source

    End Date

Firelink project support

50091265

0.4 FTE

Fixed term arrangement. Fund from RCC grant for period 1.1.2008 to 31.3.2008.

31.3.2008

Firelink project support officer

50092085

1 FTE

12 month secondment funded from RCC project wef 2.1.2008

1.1.2009

Staff Suggestion Scheme Manager

50096660

1FTE

Funding from modernisation budget until end of 08/09.

31.3.2009

Environmental Impact Co-ordinator.

50083417

(1 FTE)

Post originally filled by Grey book Firefighter, now secondment for Green book.

20.8.2008

Total

3.4 Full Time Equivalent posts added

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

Workshops - 5th year for technician

50083666

August 2008

IRS Project Manager

50083365

Funding from modernisation budget from 8 July 2007 to 31 March 2008

N.B. Post being amend to 0.2 FTE from 1.4.2008 for a 12 month period.

31 March 2008

Project Facilitator

50079413

Funded from contingency

19 June 2008

Performance Review Officer

50081621

Fund from 1.6FP Grant

1 August 2008

RCC Project Co-ordinator

50077662

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

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 31 March 2008

Community Safety Youth Support Officer (Portsmouth and Havant Group)

50051524

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

March 2008

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

March 2008

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

Post to be made permanent from 1.4.2008

Extended to 31 March 2008

Schools Fire Safety Instructor

(0.77 FTE)

50018787

Children's Fire and Burns Trust

July 2008

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

Extended to 31 March 2008

Total

16.77 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 December 2007 to 29 February 2008 and have not been previously reported to the Human Resources Committee:

Post

Action

Position Number

Administrator ( East Group)

Two part time posts have been combined in to a full time post under position number 40007474. No additional funding.( no change to FTE)

40007476 position deleted.

HFSV Co-ordinator

Grey to green book .Full time post ( +1.0)

40009025

IT technician

Supported request from post holder to reduce hours to 0.4, decrease of - 0.2 FTE until 24 April 2008(-0.2)

40009213

IS Project Trainee

Post deleted ( -0.59 FTE)

Position deleted

Station Support administrator

Temporary increase in hours( several posts)

( +0.20)

IS Administrator

New part time Post (+ 0.58 FTE) funded from vacant position in department.

50093025

Total change + 0.99 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

/HFRA/HR Committee 11.04.08 Establishment LH 07.03.08