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 05 February 2009

PRESENT:

Councillors: R.C. McIntosh (Vice-Chairman); K. House; Sam Payne;

[NOTE: WHILST THE MEETING WAS INQUORATE, THE MEMBERS ATTENDING AGREED TO CONTINUE ON AN INFORMAL BASIS AS ONLY ONE ITEM BEFORE THEM ON THIS OCCASION REQUIRED ANY FORMAL DECISIONS. THE ITEM CONCERNED IS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE FIRE AUTHORITY ON 11 FEBRUARY 2009. (MINUTE 182 REFERS)]

174 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.J. Baulk; K.G. Chapman; E.F. Gale; P. Galton; and R.J. Kimber.

175 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.

176 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 November 2008, were received and would be confirmed at the next meeting.

177 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications received from the Vice - Chairman.

178 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made to this meeting.

179 MEMBER DEVELOPMENT

Members agreed to defer this oral report to the next meeting of the Committee.

180 FEEDBACK FROM THE PEER ASSESSMENT FOR THE EQUALITY STANDARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LEVEL 3)

Members agreed to defer this oral report to the next meeting of the Committee.

181 ESTABLISHMENT

The Committee received the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the actual and authorised establishment as of 30 November 2008. Members were informed that all posts were being funded in line with existing budget arrangements and there should be a balanced position at the year end. Members asked for clarification as to whether the nine Full Time Equivalent staff positions under establishment were going to be filled and were informed that these positions should be filled by a forthcoming training course. The low level of staff turnover (some 5% per year in uniformed posts at present) was discussed.

182 WORKFORCE STRATEGY 2009-2012

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the adoption of a new workforce strategy for 2009-2012. Due to the lack of a quorum, Members were unable to adopt the strategy to recommend for approval at the Authority meeting on 11 February, but were told that it would still go before the Authority for approval. Members requested that the approved Strategy come back before the HR Committee meeting on 30 April, with the Authority asked to delegate to the Human Resources Committee the ability to make any minor changes at their meeting.

183 SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE ACTIVITIES IN 2008

The Committee received the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) updating the Committee on the activities of the Assessment and Development Centres in 2008. Members discussed using ADC as an assessment tool, and also developing future arrangements to use ADC as part of succession planning to meet HFRS staffing needs in the future.