Archived decisions
ITEM 3
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on 11 April, 2008
PRESENT:
Councillors: K. Chapman (Chairman); B.D. Dash; E.F. Gale; R.J. Kimber; R.C. McIntosh.
142 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.J. Baulk and L.J. Hunt.
143 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.
144 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 1 February, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
145 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman expressed appreciation to Councillor D. Horne, Portsmouth City Council, for his contribution during the time he had been a Portsmouth City Council representative on the Fire Authority. He went on to welcome Councillor B.D. Dash to his first meeting, and it was agreed that the Chief Officer would send him a digest of current issues by way of induction to the Committee's work.
He went on to give details of a community safety event being hosted by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, to be held on 4 and 6 June, 2008; invitations would be sent to all members of the Authority. He reported that as a result of recent interviews it had been agreed to make two internal appointments to posts of Assistant Chief Officer, an outcome welcomed by the Committee. He circulated to members a paper summarising a seminar on sprinklers held in London on 4 February, 2008, which was presented by way of information for members.
In conclusion he gave details on a confidential basis of an incident which had occurred at Lymington Fire Station and the arrangements being made with the police to investigate and support those affected.
146 DEPUTATIONS
It was reported that no deputations had been notified on this occasion.
147 ESTABLISHMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book). The main issue identified by Members during discussion was the fact that operational staff turnover was quite low at present, perhaps as a result of the recent changes to the pension system which led staff who might have contemplated retirement to remain in post for longer. The situation would be monitored to see whether it represented a long-term trend, with consequent impact on recruitment and initial training courses.
RESOLVED:
That the Human Resources Committee notes the changes to establishment under the Chief Officer's delegated powers, as contained within the report at Item 6.
148 RETAINED DUTY SYSTEM (RDS) STRATEGIC REVIEW PROJECT : PROGRESS REPORT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on current progress with the RDS strategy. The Project Manager gave a detailed explanation of the changes and their likely impact, the expected result being improved efficiency and availability of retained staff. In response to questions he explained there had so far been no impact on recruitment of retained fire officers, but it was too early to judge. It was to be hoped that the changes would lead to improved staff recruitment and retention, and to this end the Committee asked for a report monitoring progress to be submitted to them twice a year.
RESOLVED:
That the Human Resources Committee notes the content of this report (Item 7) and continues to monitor every six months progress of the RDS strategy in accordance with the HR workforce strategy and the project's phased time line.
149 WORKFORCE STRATEGY ACTION PLAN REVIEW 2007/08
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on progress made to review and update the workforce strategy.
RESOLVED:
That the Human Resources Committee notes the progress of the associated groups to support the service's strategy (summarised at Appendix A of the report; so far all milestones had been met, with some minor adjustments to timescales due to delays in national developments and projects).
150 SOUTH EAST EMPLOYERS CHARTER FOR ELECTED MEMBER DEVELOPMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on proposed new arrangements for elected member development. This item had been added to the agenda with the agreement of the Chairman under Section 100(B)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as a matter of urgency, because of the need for the Committee to consider this item prior to the next meeting of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
During discussion Members questioned the logic of starting this process now, in view of changes which would be inevitable as a consequence of the 2009 County Council elections. However they accepted the explanation of making a start now on the long-term processes which would lead to modernisation, improvements and greater efficiency in the role played by elected members of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Authority. It involved learning, development, self assessment, action plans and was in many ways similar to the Investors in People process. Members accepted the logic of making a start now on the long-term work required and it was therefore
That there be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority:
(a) The sign-up to the South East Employers (SEE) Charter for Elected Member Development and work towards achievement of the award.
(b) The establishment of a cross-party steering group (to include at least one member from each political party and at least one member from the Human Resources Committee) to act as champions, to oversee the completion of the self-assessment and deliver the future action plan to fully achieve the award.
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