Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received for this meeting.

Members are reminded that the Members’ Code of Conduct requires the disclosure of Statutory Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Non-Statutory Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interests.

There were no declarations of Members’ interests.

To approve the minutes of the Staffing Committee held on 13^th March 2017

RESOLVED: That

The minutes of the meeting of the Staffing Committee held on 13^th January 2017 be approved as a correct record.

The Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive introduced the report which provided an overview of a Government consultation on proposals to limit the practice of re-engaging senior fire officers who have retired, through an amendment to the Fire and Rescue National Framework (the Framework).  Members were asked to agree the response to the consultation and a draft response was attached for consideration.

It was noted that Cheshire Fire Authority had already adopted a policy (re-employment and pension abatement policy) that prohibited the re-engagement of senior officers after they had retired.  None of the proposed amendments outlined in the consultation contradicted the Authority’s policy and the draft response to the consultation supported the principles behind the proposed amendments while making the point that local FRAs were already able to introduce these requirements, which Cheshire had done a number of years ago.

RESOLVED: That

[1]       the draft consultation responses be agreed and submitted to the Government emphasising that Cheshire had maintained a policy to this effect for a number of years.

To consider the arrangements for the Head of Finance and Treasurer (Section 151 Officer) – report to follow.

The Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive introduced the report which provided information for Members in respect of the interim arrangements for the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the Head of Finance and Treasurer (Section 151 Officer) for the Fire Authority.

He explained the current position in respect of existing roles and the proposed arrangements by which the Constabulary’s Head of Finance will act in the role of fire Head of Finance and Treasurer (Section 151 Officer) on an interim basis.  The role of Head of Finance will continue once the joint team is created and options to fill the fire Treasurer (Section 151 Officer) role long-term would be explored further.  In the meantime, in the event of a conflict of interest fire would secure separate financial advice.

RESOLVED: That

[1]       the interim arrangements for the Head of Finance and Treasurer (Section 151 Officer) be endorsed. 

RESOLVED: That

That under Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Order 2006, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the items of business listed below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A to the Act in the paragraphs indicated:

Item 5: Case Work Update

Item 6: Senior Management Team Restructure

Item 7: Interview for the post of Director of Governance and Commissioning

Item 8: Interview for the post of Director of Transformation

Paragraph

(1)  Information relating to any individual                                          

Verbal update from the Head of People and Development

The Head of People and Development provided Members with an update on the current case work being undertaken.

RESOLVED: That

[1]       the update be noted.

Verbal update from the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive

The Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive presented the proposed revisions to the Senior Management Team structure to be implemented from 1^st April 2017.

RESOLVED: That

[1]       The revised Service Management Team structure from 1^st April 2017 be noted.

The Committee conducted an interview with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in respect of the new role and proposed responsibilities for the post of Director of Governance and Commissioning.

RESOLVED:

[1]       That Andrew Leadbetter be appointed to the post of Director of Governance and Commissioning with effect from 1^st April 2017.

The Committee conducted an interview with the Head of People and Development in respect of the new role and proposed responsibilities for the post of Director of Transformation.

RESOLVED:

[1]       That Andrea Harvey be appointed to the post of Director of Transformation with effect from 1^st April 2017.