Archived decisions
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority 15/03/2005Human Resources Committee Item 26th November 2009
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Elected Member Development - Update Report of the Chief Officer |
Contact: Mark Rayner Tel: 02380 644000 ext 2344 Email : [email protected] |
1 |
Summary |
1.1 |
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority (HFRA) Members perform a crucial role in guiding the continual improvement of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS). As the service strives towards `excellence', Authority Members will need to maintain and update their knowledge and understanding of a range of issues to help maintain the highest levels of service provision. |
1.2 |
Members have previously agreed to the signing of the South East Employers Charter for Elected Member Development (HFRA 26th September 2007) and working towards achieving the award in the coming years. Good progress is being made in establishing structures within the Authority to embed Member development as a key activity. |
1.3 |
This report updates Members on progress of the agreed action plan and proposes the introduction of a HFRA Member Role Profile, an annual Member Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and the Community Leadership Skills Framework. Additionally, it proposes that the HFRA Elected Member Steering Group adopt management of the budget for Elected Member Development from 1 April 2010. |
1.4 |
This report contains a number of appendices which are attached for information purposes only and do not form the body of this report. These documents have previously been seen as the work on Member Development has been progressed. They have been included as reference documents for Human Resources (HR) Committee members who may not have previously had sight of copies. |
2 |
RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.(s) |
2.1 |
Progress on the South East Employers Charter for Elected Member Development Action Plan be noted. |
2.2 |
The Human Resource (HR) Committee agree to the following initiatives to further support Member Development: · Introduction of a HFRA Member Profile · The completion of a Member Training Needs Analysis · Adoption of the Community Leadership Skills Framework · HFRA Elected Member Steering Group adopt management of the budget for Elected Member Development · Introduction of an Elected Member Development web area |
3 |
Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.and Background |
3.1 |
The Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) faces increasing expectations from both Government and the public. We are experiencing need for greater diversity in the services we provide in order to make our communities even safer. The role of Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) Members is critical as we make risk-based decisions on allocation of resources and future planning. |
3.2 |
Whilst Members receive development within their own authorities, their position on the Fire Authority inevitably requires additional specialist knowledge and skills to support them to undertake their roles effectively. The previous agreement of the Member Awareness Framework recognised the need for a structured approach to Member development within the existing meeting structures. |
3.3 |
The South East Charter for Elected Member Development provides a systematic and co-ordinated framework for Member development and builds on the Member Awareness Framework previously agreed by the Authority. The HFRA Member Development Steering Group was formed to oversee support for the achievement of the Charter and to develop structures to embed development within the Authority. |
3.4 |
As the Authority strives to move from a `good' to an `excellent' authority, the service as a whole will need to continuously update and improve its skills and keep up to date with new developments. Achievement of the Charter will demonstrate the Authority Members commitment to ongoing development and establish the necessary structures to ensure future learning and development provides maximum benefit to the communities we serve. |
4 |
Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives |
4.1 |
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 specialist knowledge and will help ensure Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) continues to move towards being an `excellent' Service. |
5 |
South East Employers - Charter for Elected Member Development |
5.1 |
The South East Employers (SEE), in conjunction with the Improvement & Development Agency (IDeA), have developed a Charter for Elected Member Development -http://www.seemp.co.uk/councillors/emcharter.htm. There are a number of milestones in achieving the Charter and these are: · Commitment to Member Development. · Strategic approach to Member Development. · Member learning and development plan in place. · Learning and development is effective in building capacity. · Elected Member Development promotes work life balance and citizenship. |
5.2 |
Benefits 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 and improved use of capacity and recognition of commitment to Member development in future service assessments. It is also anticipated that the successful implementation of the Charter will include greater involvement of Members in key HFRS development activities and closer working with Officers of the Service in a variety of strategic contexts. |
6 |
Progress against the Action Plan |
6.1 |
The HFRA Member Development Steering Group (MDSG) was established to oversee the development and implementation of the action plan to achieve the SEE Charter for Elected Member Development. The MDSG is a cross-party steering group, with one Member from each political party and support from the Training and Development Department. |
6.2 |
The Action Plan (Appendix A) has previously been agreed and submitted to SEE for their approval. Members should note the progress against the action plan and the following areas are brought forward for consideration. |
6.2.1 |
HFRA Elected Member Profile - Appendix B The Elected Member Profile provides a generic description of the role requirements, written as outcomes. It does not specify how to achieve the outcome as each Member will apply their own approach to successfully achieving the desired outcomes. The profile will form part of the Member Induction process and will be included in the Member Handbook currently being developed. |
6.2.2 |
HFRA Member Training Needs Analysis - Appendix C An annual Training Needs Analysis (TNA) will be circulated to all Members for their completion in February of each year. The Steering Group will consider the requests and allocate the budget accordingly for the next financial year. Appendix C `Access to Learning and Development Opportunities' is the pro-forma that will be used in the TNA process and identifies a range of courses available to Members with a section to indicate other development areas. |
6.2.3 |
Community Leadership Skills Framework - Appendix D The Community Leadership Skills Framework will assist Members in their self assessment of their development areas and supports the completion of the Training Needs Analysis. This framework has been developed from the IDEA Political Skills Framework which the Authority has previously agreed to use (September 2008). |
6.2.4 |
Budget management for Elected Member Development There is an allocation of £50,000 within the overall budget that is nominated from Elected Member Development. The management of this budget will reside with the HFRA Member Development Steering Group from April 1st 2010. The Steering Group will allocate a `virtual budget' of £1000 per Elected Member that can be used for specific personal development within their role. The Group will manage the virtual budgets and the remaining budget to meet the development needs of the Authority. |
6.2.5 |
HFRA Elected Member Development web area A dedicated area of the HFRS web site will be developed to provide Members with an online resource to support their development. The area will include the revised Member Handbook, details of development opportunities, future conferences and a feedback mechanism to collate feedback from development events. This area will be available from April 1st 2010. |
7 |
Risk Analysis |
7.1 |
HFRS is in a period of substantial and sustained change as the expectations of the public and Government continue to change and grow. It is anticipated that increased financial pressures in the future will require the HFRA to make risk-based decisions to ensure delivery of its strategic priorities. A continuous process of development will help Members in their roles. |
8 |
Resource/Financial Implications |
8.1 |
There are no additional resource or financial implications related to the proposals within this report. |
9 |
Equality Impact Assessment |
9.1 |
An Equality Impact Assessment has previously been carried out on this proposal and no negative impacts are identified. |
10 |
Consultation |
10.1 |
The development of initiatives within the SEE Charter Action Plan are carried out by the Member Development Steering Group. As the work on achieving the Charter develops, consultation with all Members will be undertaken to ensure that their full understanding and engagement in the work is achieved. |
11 |
Conclusion |
11.1 |
The role of Members is probably more crucial now than ever before in taking the service forward. As Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service strives to become an excellent FRS, Officers will need the ongoing support and guidance of Members to achieve these aspirations. Achievement of the SE Charter for Elected Member Development will establish a systematic and co-ordinated framework for Member development within the Authority. This will demonstrate our commitment to the ongoing development of Members against a national benchmark. |
Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972) | |
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: South East Charter for Elected Member Development - Guidance Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act. | |