MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 16 AUGUST 2004 COMMENCING AT 11.30 AM
Present :
Mr V J Morey (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Miss H L Humby, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Miller, Mr A A Taylor
Portfolio Holder :
Mr D J Knowles
Apologies :
Mr B E Abraham, Mr C B W Chapman
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr J A Bowker, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr R G Mazillius
17. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2004 were confirmed.
18. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest at this stage.
19. FORWARD PLAN
There were no items specifically relating to the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee on the Council’s Forward Plan for the period August – November 2004, although the Action Plan on the following item showed there were two items to go to the Executive in October 2004.
20. ISLE OF WIGHT FIRE AUTHORITY – LOCAL SERVICE PAY AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT – LOCAL VERIFICATION STUDY
On behalf of the Portfolio Holder the Chief Fire Officer reminded members that there were three pay increases to be paid as part of the pay and conditions agreement for firefighters. The last two payments were subject to verification by the Audit Commission and although 3.5% of the second stage had been paid on account the remaining 3.5% was yet to be released as was the final payment of 4.2%.
With reference to Phase 2 of the Verification Study the Audit Commission had indicated that reasonable steps had been taken but had yet to impact on judgements. An Action Plan, drawn up by the Audit Commission had 23 recommendations and members believed an update on those recommendations should be brought to the Select Committee on a monthly basis.
Members asked when the next assessment was to take place and were advised that there was not a Phase 3 Verification Study the next stage was the CPA, which had a much wider scope than the narrow focus of the Verification Studies.
The Select Committee questioned the Chief Fire Officer as to what effect the Study had on officers and were told there was a widespread sense of injustice. Crude measures were used to reflect a service that they knew was very good. The issues raised in the Action Plan would be addressed and a modernised service provided for the Isle of Wight. The Portfolio Holder was confident that all issues would be properly addressed but additional money was needed which was flagged up in the Service Plans. A larger Fire Authority would see savings through modernisation but the Island Fire Authority was too small for that. He believed it was Government policy to centralise where they could.
There was a possibility of strike action being taken in the near future, members asked how that would impact on the work that needed to be done and if there would be penalties invoked from the CPA process. The Chief Fire Officer was unsure if there were penalties involved from the CPA process but saw no reason why work on the recommendations could not continue if there was strike action.
The Unions were not causing delays but the relationship between ranks needed to change and develop. Negotiations on the Grey Book had been ongoing since June 2003 and in recent weeks had been facilitated by the TUC with the FBU and the National Employers.
It was noted that the proposed agreement between the employers and the FBU had not been ratified by the LGA. One Authority however appeared willing to enter into a local settlement on pay.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER AND THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER :
That a monthly monitoring report of the Action Plan be brought to the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee.
21. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
Mrs M J Miller asked a question in relation to the Portfolio Holder writing to the Government with regard to the Coastguard Service. The Portfolio Holder replied that a letter had been sent and a reply received.
CHAIRMAN