Presentation from Steve Healey – Deputy CFO, Lancashire FRS
Minutes:
The Chair invited Steve Healey (SH), Deputy CFO of Lancashire FRS, to address the Committee.
SH gave a presentation on the work of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) in respect of on call firefighters. He emphasised the vital importance of on-call staff to English FRSs and highlighted the problems of recruitment and retention that the NFCC’s project was looking to address. A project business case was being developed including a data-driven analysis to demonstrate the value of on-call firefighters. SH called for the support of FRA members in addressing the challenges and highlighted some of the variations in on-call contracts that had already been developed locally to try and tackle problems with recruitment and retention. However, he stressed that the problems went deeper than just pay and conditions, and the NFCC, with partners, hoped to address this as part of the project.
Members’ comments and questions:
· The work of the former on-call group that the LGA took part in with the NFCC was referenced. Cllr Mark Healey, who was a member of this group, called for LGA involvement in any new joint working arrangements. SH confirmed that the work of the previous on-call group would not be lost moving forward. A new strategic board would be set up which would involve key partners. SH invited Cllr Healey to attend the strategic/practitioner forum that would be taking place on 6 June. Gill Gittins (Senior Adviser, Workforce and Negotiations) added that the NJC for LAFRS had just commenced a joint working group on the retained duty system which would also be looking at the issue more widely than pay and conditions. SH agreed that data from the NFCC project would be shared with the NJC joint working group to facilitate its work.
· It was suggested that there was an opportunity to recruit more on-call firefighters from the growing pool of people working from home. SH agreed and added that fire stations could also be opened up as alternative workplaces.
· Many FRSs had good local recruitment campaigns but a national effort to raise the profile of on-call opportunities was also needed.
· The importance of regular training for on-call staff was emphasised, not least in respect of EDI. SH agreed that this was vital and suggested that the narrative around firefighting needed to change. Regular training was considered vital for on-call staff and this should be tailored to individual needs.
· Were tax incentives to encourage on-call recruitment and retention being explored? SH said that previous proposals had been vetoed by the Treasury but a new business case needed to be put forward, particularly around incentivising employers to release staff. An ‘on call covenant’, similar to the ‘armed forces covenant’ could also be looked at for recognising employers.
· It was suggested that the contractual system for on-call staff needed to have more flexibility in order to help retain staff. For example, minimum hours stipulations were not helpful. SH said that there was currently significant local flexibility in terms of grey book contracts and local arrangements but this issue would be looked at more closely by the NJC working group.
Decision:
FSMC noted the presentation
Action:
Further update to be scheduled for Fire Commission on 9 June or FSMC on 7 July.