Agenda and minutes

The meeting was held using Skype and in accordance with the Remote Meeting Rules. The Director of Governance and Commissioning confirmed how participants were connected to the meeting and how it would be broadcast. He also mentioned how the meeting would be monitored throughout.

There were no apologies for absence.

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’ interest.

To approve the minutes of the Staffing Committee held on 15^th January 2020.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Staffing Committee held on 15^th January 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.

A People Strategy 2019-22 was approved by the Fire Authority in February 2019.  The Strategy is contained within the Agenda Pack.  Officers will present information about developments associated with the People Strategy.

The Director of Transformation delivered a presentation which provided an update about developments associated with the People Strategy 2019-22 (the Strategy).

Members were informed that the Strategy was predicated on the ‘Steps Framework’ which consisted of three main elements: Step In; Step Forward; Step Up. An overview was provided in respect of each of the elements, confirming activities carried out to-date and future intentions.

RESOLVED: That

[1]       the People Strategy update be noted.

A Covid-19 Staff Survey was carried out in June/July 2020.  This led to the creation of an Action Plan.  The Plan is contained in the Agenda Pack.  Officers will present details of activities associated with the Action Plan.

The Policy and Transformation Officer delivered a presentation which provided an overview of activities captured in the Covid-19 Staff Survey Action Plan. It focused on: key aspects of staff feedback and how issues could be addressed through engagement with staff.

RESOLVED: That

[1]       the presentation concerned with the Covid-19 Staff Survey Action Plan be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Transformation which sought approval of a revised Local Government Pension Scheme Discretion Policy.

Members were advised that the main changes involved the introduction of wording allowing extenuating circumstances to be considered, as well as acknowledging that there might be situations where discretion might be appropriately exercised if there was a financial or organisational benefit to the Service.  The policy had also been updated to reflect that fact that all discretions would require the approval of the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive, the Treasurer and the Pension Scheme Manager.

RESOLVED: That

[1]       the Local Government Pension Scheme Discretions Policy be approved.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Service Delivery which provided an update in respect of the current and predicted operational establishment levels for the remainder of the financial year 2020-21 and predicted operational establish levels for 2021-22.

RESOLVED: That

[1]       the Workforce Planning update be noted; and

[2]       the recommendations contained in paragraphs 14, 15 and 16 be approved.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Transformation which provided an update on discipline cases, grievances, dignity at work complaints and Performance/Capability procedures within the Service.

RESOLVED: That

[1]       the Discipline and Grievance update be noted.

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 8 – Service Management Team Review

Paragraphs

[1]       Information relating to any individual

[3]       Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information 

A review was commissioned by the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive and was carried out by RealWorldHR Limited.  The review was concerned with the question: is the Service Management Team structure fit for purpose and sustainable?  The initial findings from the review have been considered by the Chief Fire Office and Chief Executive and he has asked RealWorldHR Limited to make a presentation to the Committee.  By its nature the Review and therefore the presentation will include information about individuals and this is the reason it will be considered in private session.

Mr Steve Mason from RealWorldHR Limited gave a presentation on the Service Management Team Review.

The review was commissioned by the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive and was intended to determine whether the current Service Management Team structure was fit for purpose and sustainable.  The initial findings from the review had been considered by the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive and he asked RealWorldHR Limited to make a presentation to the Committee. 

RESOLVED: That

[1]       the contents of the presentation be noted; and

[2]       the recommendations by RealWorldHR be supported; and

[3]       a report be prepared for the Fire Authority dealing with the outcomes of the review and the recommendations in relation to the Service Management Team.