Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Human Resources Committee Item 8

5 February 2009

Establishment

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Geoff Howsego - Director of Human Resources Tel: 023 644000 ext 2362


1	Summary

1.1	This report brings the Committee up to date on the authorised and actual establishment, as of 30 November 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 November 2008. This report identifies any further variations across all employee groups within the time period 2 October 2008 to 30 November 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.

1.4	Predicted efficiency savings are being achieved and utilised where appropriate.

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 30 November 2008

4.1	The tables below reflect the authorised establishment figures as at 30 November 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		6*	2	5
		A		0	0	1
	Group Managers	B		8**	1	8
		A		20	2	23
	Station Managers	B		37***	1	35
		A		9****	4	14
	Watch Managers	B		92	6	89.5
		A		14	7	27
	Crew Managers			101*****	5	109
	Firefighters			487	3	485
	Total			779	31	801.5 ( 8.5 FTE under establishment)

	Please note the total actual establishment figure has decreased by 9 FTE since the last report . The following is a summary of the changes that have occurred to make up this figure: The authorised establishment has not changed since the last report, but 4 Area Manager A post have been regarded to Area Manager B posts under the job evaluation arrangements for Grey Book posts. The number of externally/other funded positions remains the same at 31 FTE posts. A watch manager in the Protection team has commuted his pension and been re-engaged on a part time basis, hence appearance of 0.5 FTE.
	The Wholetime trainee course originally scheduled for January 2009 has been deferred until April 2009. Career Breaks - 1 x FF and 1 x WM returning January 2009 and 2 x FF returning February 2009. These individuals are guaranteed a position on their return, but are not included in our actual numbers until they return to work. In addition we have 1 x FF returning from his Reserve Forces commitments overseas in March 2009. Other changes are as follows: Directors - No change in number of established posts since the last report.
	Assistant Chief Officers - No change in number of established posts since the last report.
	Area Managers `B' & `A' - No change in number of established posts since the last report. However, all these positions have been subject to a job evaluation process and have been assessed as Area Manager `B' posts rather than Area Manager `A' posts. One postholder is currently on a development programme, all other postholders are competent in role. Group Manager 'B' - Reduction of 1 FTE on established posts since the last report. GM `B' Children and Young People ( 40007621)and will be replaced by a SM `A' CS Engagement Officer (50138496). Group Manager `A'* - No change in number of established posts since the last report. *Station Manager `B' - Increase of 1 FTE on established posts since the last report. Development Manager position in Training ( 40007585) post deleted as a GM'A' ON 1.10.2008 ( reported to November 08 committee) and an additional SM `B' ( non FDS) Training position created (50141193). **Station Manager `A' -. Increase of 1 FTE on established posts since the last report. GM `B' Children and Young People ( 40007621)and will be replaced by a SM `A' CS Engagement Officer (50138496).
	Watch Manager `B' & `A' - No changes in number of established posts since the last report.
	*****Crew Managers - Reduction of 1 FTE on established posts since the last report. An additional post attached to Cosham Station to cover the duties of the FBU secretary has been deleted following his resignation from these additional responsibilities.
	******Firefighters(FF) - No changes in number of established posts since the last report.
	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 31 posts that receive external or other funding, no change in 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 2 October 2008 to 30 November 2008.

	Post Title/Area		Funding Source				Start/End Date
	CFRAU Advisor Area Manager B		CLG are funding this position.				13 October 08 to 12 October 2009
	Total		1 FTE additional posts added


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
Maritime Coastguard secondment Area Manager B 50139114	The maritime Coastguard Agency are funding a three year secondment	30 September 2011
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 June 2009	June 2009
CFPIG Station Manager 'B' 50081642	Crown Premises inspection group. 1 year secondment. Arrangement extended to June 2009	11 June 2009
Risk Intelligence Manager Group Manager 'A' 50082229	Internal funding from MS and Section 13 charges. Arrangement extended for a further six months to 31 March 2009	31 March 2009
Project Manager - out of Scope Group Manager `A' 50131478	Post established from 7.7.2008 to look at the Regional Control Centre ` Out of Scope' activities. Funding from project budget for a 12 month period.	6 July 2009
Watch Manager `B' Arson Task Force Officer 50038337	Arrangement extended. Funded from LPSA2 for 2008/9	31 March 2009
Enhanced Command Support Trainer SM'A' 50092782	Funded by CLG from the New Dimension Project budget.(+1 FTE) Arrangement extended to March 2009	31 March 2009
Station Manager `B' Urban Search And Rescue 50024782	CLG funded from New Dimensions	Reviewed annually
Assistant Fire Resilience Co-ordinator SM'A' 50054726	Secondment to Fire Service College. CLG funded. Arrangement extended to 31 March 2010	31 March 2010
Station Manager `A' Urban Search and Rescue ( 50092086)	Funded externally by CLG	From 1 October 2008 Reviewed annually
Road Safety Officers WM `B' 50108819 50108820	The funding for two watch manager `B' positions as Fire Safety officers ( 40009116 &40009144) is being used for two 6 month temporary Road Safety Liaison Officer Positions. No change to establishment. Arrangement extended to 31.3.2009	31 March 2009
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
Watch Manager `B' (3 posts) USAR 50092087 50092088 50092089	CLG funding for New Dimension	Reviewed annually
IRS project Facilitator Watch Manager `A' 50096975	Funded from New Dimensions " New Burdens" grant. Arrangement extended until 30 June 2009	30 June 2009
Rural Safety Officer Watch Manager `A' 50043050	Funded from contingency.	31 March 2009
Watch Manager `A' (3 posts) USAR 50016815 50024781 50024783	CLG funding for New Dimension	Reviewed annually
Youth Interaction Officer Crew Manager 50081784	Funded from pump priming grant initially for 2 years from Southampton City Council.	31 August 2009
Community Link Officer Crew Manager 50042275	Funded from reward grant	31 March 2009
Crew Manager (3 posts) Urban Search And Rescue 50016806 50028368 50028369	DCLG	Reviewed annually

FF (3 posts) Urban Search And Rescue 50036968 53336967 50028370	Communities and Local Government (CLG)	Reviewed annually
Total	30 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

66.6

Crew Manager

114

95.4

487

427

Total

648*

589 ( 59 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 remained the same since the last report and the actual establishment has increased from 585.25 FTE to 589 FTE, although overall 59 FTE under establishment. Although there are a further 9 people undertaking the initial training course in January 2009 to fill RDS vacancies at various locations and 12 applicants currently undertaking the selection processes. 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)

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

39.2

2.80

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

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

50082228

Funded from the Regional Control Centre budget from CLG.

Extended to January 2010

3 January 2008

Extended to 2 January 2010

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 2010.

February 2008

Extended to Feb 2010.

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.

31 January 2011

Total

2.80 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

(Head Count)

Other

263.03*

16.33

263.87 ( 15.58 FTE under establishment)*

311.03

16.33

327.45

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 decreased by 0.09 FTE since the last report.

* We currently have 7 agency temps within HFRS. Two are undertaking Home Fire Safety visit data inputting, one is undertaking data inputting duties in the Risk Intelligence team, one is covering vacancies in the CS admin team at Redbridge pending the outcome of the administration review in Service Delivery. One is covering long term secondment in Training Admin Support, one on IS helpdesk for long term sickness and the final person is covering a green book administrative secondment from Workshops.

**Externally/Other funded arrangements - the total number of arrangements in place has not changed in this period, and remains at 16.33 FTE, however some arrangements have ceased and been replaced by others. The breakdown below gives a summary of the positions that have been confirmed.

Based on the headcount figures above for this period we have a total of 16.33 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 2 October 2008 to 30 November 2008.

Post Title/Area/Position Number

Funding Source

End Date

Systems Integration Officer

50146215

0.65 FTE

Temporary post from November 2008 to May 2009 funded from IS budget.

31 May 2009

Total

(+ 0.65 FTE )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

Project Officer (CFOA)

Initially 0.5 FTE

Two year funding from CFOA. 1st year part time position. 2^ND Year full time

1 June 2008 to 31 May 2010

Firelink/Firecontrol data manager

50131477

1 FTE

Temporary position funded from RCC grant. Grade J post.

21 July 2008 to 20 May 2010

Temporary Data Inputter (Community Safety)

50131650

1 FTE

Three month temporary post from 29 July 2008. Funded from deletion of Control Room training Officer post. N.B. Arrangement still in place as at 30.11.2008 - investigating funding/extension date.

29 July 2008 to 28 October 2008

Temporary ICT technician

0.4 FTE

40009213

Temporary position to be funded from within IS budget

4 October 2008 to July 2009

Community Safety Youth Support Officer (Portsmouth and Havant Group)

50051524

1 FTE

LPSA 1 Reward Grant for a 13 month period. Maximum£30 k ended March 2008.

Future funding arrangements to be determined. This post is currently filled, but unfunded.

RFI Inputter posts

50030624

50051522

1.8 FTE

One post holder has reduced hours

from 37 to 29.6 per week. This fits in with the data entry requirements of the Service and reduces the costs of this activity.

31 March 2009

IRS Project Manager

50092784

0.2 FTE

Funded by RCC grant.

31 March 2009

RCC Project Co-ordinator

50077662

1 FTE

DCLG funding for a 12 month period. ( 1 FTE)

1 April 2009

Firelink project support officer

50092085

1 FTE

12 month secondment funded from RCC project wef 2.1.2008

1.1.2009

Environmental Impact Co-ordinator.

50083417

1 FTE

Post undertaking best value review of environmental impact. Funded from I+S budget. Extended to March 2009.

Extended to 31.3.2009

Staff Suggestion Scheme Manager

50096660

1 FTE

Funding from modernisation budget until end of 08/09.

31.3.2009

Prince's Trust Delivery Partner Manager

50012085

1 FTE

Funded from Prince's Trust for a further two years.

1.9.2010

Prince's Trust Co-ordinator

40009172

1 FTE

Funded from Prince's Trust for a further two years.

1.9.2010

Prince's Trust Essential Skills/Next Steps Facilitator

50012688

0.43 FTE

Funded from LSC arrangement.

Extended for a further 2 years

Prince's Trust Next Steps Facilitator

50080102

1 FTE

additional funding from Prince's trust.(1 FTE)

31 July 2009

Extended for a further year.

Temporary Prince's Trust Next Steps Facilitator

50032688

1 FTE

24 months additional LSC funding from Prince's trust. Post to cover maternity period.(1 FTE)

1 September 2010

Extended for a further 2 years.

Community Safety Firesetter Intervention Practioner

(Southampton Group)

50051682

1 FTE

Southampton City Council and Hampshire Constabulary from Southampton Safer and Stronger Communities Fund.

Arrangement extended to 31 August 2009

31 August 2009

USAR Administrator

50024890

1FTE

DCLG

Reviewed annually

Communications Executive

1 year temporary position to fulfil the objectives outlined in the Corporate Marketing and Communications Strategy Document.

50036720

1 FTE

Modernisation Budget

Extended to 31 March 2009

Total

16.33 FTE

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 May 2008 to 1 October 2008 and have not been previously reported to the Human Resources Committee:

Post

Action

Position Number

HR Equality and Diversity trainer

Post made redundant in October 2008 as part of team restructure. To be replaced by alternative roles to meet business needs.( No Change to establishment level until changes finalised)

50022459

Total change 0.0 FTE

Financial Implications

All posts are being funded by the existing budget arrangements, which where advised includes external/other funding. Any costs or savings associated with the variations are expected to be funded from within existing pay budgets or external funding sources.

Members will be aware from recent budget monitoring reports that the Service has implemented a number of measures to curtail recruitment activities and contain predicted expenditure in the forthcoming months.

The establishment levels continue to be closely monitored to support these initiatives.

Predicted efficiency savings are being achieved and utilised where appropriate.

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.

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

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Green Book Variations to Establishment

Post

Action