Appendix A

EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

SE Charter for Elected Member Development

Directorate/Department: Human Resources

Person/Team Responsible: Mark Rayner

Date of Assessment: 4^th April2008

Date of Review: April 2009

Description

1 Background to the Proposal

Please give a summary Statement of Intent for the proposal and an indication of what has informed the need to consider the proposal

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 becoming `excellent', our Fire Authority Members will need to maintain and update their knowledge and understanding of a range of issues to maintain the high levels of service the Authority provides.

Members have agreed to the Authority signing up to the South East Charter for Elected Member Development (HFRA 26^th 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.

2 Aims and Objectives of the Proposal

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 knowledge and will help move Hampshire towards being an `excellent' fire and rescue service.

3 Intended Outcomes of the Proposal

Outcomes 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.

4 How do these outcomes support the directorate Business Plan

The outcomes will lead to improved learning and development for Authority Members which will be reflected in future decision making and working groups across the service.

5 Who are the main beneficiaries/users

The SE Charter for Elected Member Development will benefit the Fire Authority Members in terms of their development, the service Officers in working on future projects and the public in terms of future decision making within the Authority.

6 Who are the main stakeholders

Detail who has defined the proposal and list who will be involved in the implementation If agencies and external partners are involved detail how compliance with ED principles will be sought. Include an equalities profile of the main Project Board

The proposal to sign up to the Charter has been accepted by the Fire Authority in September 2007. The main stakeholders are the Fire Authority Members in terms of developing the Action Plan and implementing the required actions. Support will be provided by the Training and Development Department.

External agencies involved will include SE Employers, IDEA and SE Fire Improvement Partnership. Details of compliance will ED principles will be identified in the initial stages of the project.

The proposal is to establish a Steering Group to oversee the work. Detail of this will be provided when the group is formed.

7 Linkages to other policies and processes

List any other proposal or policy that could potentially be linked and identify how these will be amended as a result of this assessment. Additional amendments will be referenced in the action plan at the end of this document

Fire Authority Member Awareness Framework - this will be reviewed as part of the Action Plan for achievement of the SE Charter.

Fire Authority Member Induction - will be reviewed as part of the Action Plan.

Evidence of Impact

8 Data Capture

8a Quantitative Data

Equality Profile of Beneficiaries / Users

Detail in terms of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief and age

Direct beneficiaries of the policy will be the Fire Authority Members. (Details to be added).

8b Qualitative Data

Local Data

Detail data relating to grievances/informal complaints/consultation or feedback that relates directly to this proposal.

Continue to detail additional data that emerges from the project plan and application of the process in order that this EIA continually evolves.

No issues identied

Research

Detail any additional research or reference to other documents that have been used to inform these proposals

Continue to detail additional research that emerges from the project plan in order that this EIA continually evolves

Reference has been made to the SE Charter for Elected Member Development guidance (March 08)

9 Consultation and Involvement

Detail how and with who you will gather additional information relating to the impact of this proposal, as well as the outcome of your consultation with others.

Continue to detail additional feedback that emerges from the your consultation in order that this EIA continually evolves

9a Current

The proposal to move to sign up for the Charter is being taken to the Authority HR Committee and then to the HFRA for final approval.

9b Planned

All Fire Authority Members will be consulted with as part of the self assessment process.

The activities identified within the Action Plan may require further consultation, details of which will be added as the work progresses.

Analysis of Impact

Identify which Equality Legislation is potentially relevant to this proposal

10 Identified Risks / Analysis of Impact

The work to achieve the charter will require establishment of processes/structures to support future Member development. Additionally it will identify development opportunities for members to participate in and this may identify impacts in relation to disability or gender.

11 Measures to Mitigate Adverse Impact / Risks
If a negative impact is identified can it be objectively justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity or for another legitimate reason, please summarise the actions you would take to mitigate adverse impacts/risks.

The proposal does not discriminate directly against any group of Elected Members on the Fire Authority. Consideration of impacts in relation to specific development opportunities will be carried out as these opportunities are identified.

12 Conclusions and Action Points

The table below should be completed using the information resulting from this equality impact assessment. A final action plan is required to demonstrate that consideration has been given to:

1. Lower the negative impact, and/or

2. Ensure that the negative impact is legal under anti-discriminatory law, and/or

3. Provide an opportunity to promote equality, equal opportunity and improve relations within equality target groups, i.e. increase the positive impact


Please ensure that you update your service/business plan within the equality objectives/targets and actions identified below. These actions will also be reflected in the corporate equality plan (CEP) and monitored through the Local Diversity Group

Equality Impact Assessment Action Plan

Additional Responsibility Allowances

Directorate/Department: Human Resources

Person/Team Responsible: Mark Rayner

Date of Assessment: 4^th March 2008

Date of Review: March 2009