Agenda item

Cllr Nick Chard introduced this item and gave thanks to the members and officers who had contributed their time and expertise to this agenda.

The main item for discussion was the NJC Employees’ pay claim. Cllr Chard reminded members that the NJC covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and discussion had subsequently taken place with all four employer stakeholders. As agreed, all FRS Chairs and CFOs had then been invited to attend one of three consultation meetings in Birmingham, Manchester and London. He noted that there appeared to be a difference in mood between meetings given two followed the fire at Grenfell Tower but there had been general consensus in all meetings that employees should be paid more, in the contact of broadening the role of the firefighter. Securing continuation of the work being undertaken through the NJC trials was therefore also a major issue.

Cllr Chard explained that in developing an offer in response to the claim employer representatives had looked at a 1 per cent offer for 1/1/2017 but, mindful of the views at the consultation meetings as well, felt strongly that it would be necessary and appropriate to show a firm commitment at the outset of negotiations to increased salary levels. An additional non-consolidated 1 per cent was considered recognising the difficulties in doing so. This was discussed as part of the negotiation and it was very clear that such an approach would not be worth pursuing. The offer therefore, as set out in the report, was a simple 2 per cent at this time and a commitment to a further 3 per cent on 1/4/2018 subject to a deal having been agreed and government funding to cover the cost. Increases in the subsequent 2/3 years would be discussed as part of the deal. The FBU is currently consulting its membership on the offer as a whole, albeit that its Executive Council has indicated it believes the package is not acceptable. Cllr Chard confirmed that they expected to hear back from the FBU on or shortly after 24 July. He said that there were no intentions to change the existing offer and reminded members that the offer was conditional on the Employees’ Side continuing its support for the emergency medical response (EMR) trials.

Members made the following comments:

·         Members noted that alongside the 2 per cent pay increase offer was the offer of a further 3 per cent increase, though Cllr Chard explained this was a conditional offer subject to the government agreeing to commit additional funding and a permanent deal being in place to broaden the role of the firefighter. There was recognition that members want to see better paid firefighters but that the additional 3 per cent increase needed to come from the government, alongside a longer-term broad agreement to ensure work such as that undertaken through the EMR trials continues now and on a permanent basis in the future.

·         Members felt that the LGA needed to lobby hard to support the National employers call for funding. Some members felt that the main focus of these negotiations should be the transformation of the role and that getting caught up in discussions about the removal of the pay cap could reduce the chances of receiving support from the government.

·         A point was raised about how to separate discussions about pay increase from affordability. Comments were made about whether the government should provide more funding in the way of a grant or if they should allow FRAs to raise more tax locally in order to afford pay increases. Cllr Chard noted that this would be a helpful idea but reminded members that not all authorities were combined. Any proposals would need to ensure a workable solution for all authorities.

Decision

The Fire Commission noted the update paper.

Action

Officers to progress as appropriate.