Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair at the start of the meeting, the Vice-Chair, County Councillor O’Toole took the chair.

Apologies were received from County Councillor Beavers and County Councillor Serridge.

Members are asked to consider any pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the agenda.

None received.

RESOLVED: - That the Minutes of the last meeting held on 6 July 2022 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Head of Human Resources presented the report.  As a public body there was a requirement to publish information which demonstrated compliance with the Equality Duty created under the Equality Act 2010.  In the exercise of functions there was a requirement to: i) eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act; ii) advance equality of opportunity between people who shared a protected characteristic and those who did not; and iii) foster good relations between people who shared a protected characteristic and those who did not. 

Regulations, enabled by the Equality Act required public authorities to publish their equality objectives and information to demonstrate their compliance with the Equality Duty.  The Annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion report was one of the ways in which the Service demonstrated this compliance. 

Members considered the report (attached at appendix 1 now presented) which demonstrated performance in terms of meeting legal duties for the period 2021/22 and setting out plans for 2022/23.  It was noted that this was part of a suite of delivery plans that supported the delivery of the People Strategy (which detailed areas of focus in terms of improved accessibility, training and development, recruitment and selection, engagement, consultation, performance management and in the development of policies and strategies).

As an employer the aim was to recruit and develop a diverse workforce and to ensure that the workforce could work with dignity and respect, protected from any type of prejudice or discrimination. 

Further to the review of risks within the communities of Lancashire, the Service had developed the following equality objectives in supporting:

Our communities:

·         Support local businesses to reduce the risk of fire and remain compliant within fire safety legislation;

·         Reduce the number and impact of fire and other emergencies to our diverse communities across Lancashire;

·         Develop and deliver a Prevention service targeting our most vulnerable communities.

Our workforce:

·         Promote equality in our workforce policies and workforce practices;

·         Develop our staff to ensure they can respond competently meeting the different needs of our diverse communities.

The Service aimed to ensure that no one received less favourable treatment for reasons relating to all recognised protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act. 

Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) was an effective tool in demonstrating how the Service met its legal requirements under the public sector equality duty, identifying the impact of policies and decisions on staff and communities and ensuring that the impact was fully understood and any negative impact mitigated.  The Service had strengthened its approach to EIAs through training having delivered 6 courses during the period.  It was noted that a peer review would be commissioned during 2022/23 to review current arrangements with a view to identifying improvements.  The Service ensured that any partnership operated in line with equality principles and associated equality duties.

Workforce Profile

Members considered annex A to the report which demonstrated the workforce equality profile as of 31 March 2022 in relation to all protected groups (apart from gender reassignment due to the sensitive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18/22

Councillor Williams apologised for being late and he now took the chair.

The Director of Corporate Services advised that this report set out the current budget position in respect of the 2022/23 revenue and capital budgets. 

Revenue Budget

The overall position at the end of August was an overspend of £0.3m, largely as a result of price increases associated with energy and fuel. 

The year-to-date positions within individual departments were set out in the report with major variances relating to non-pay spends and variances on the pay budget being shown separately in the table below: -

The report highlighted that inflationary pressures were causing costs to increase in several areas, most notably fuel and energy. Forecast usage/costs were currently being reviewed in order to estimate the likely out-turn position. However far  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19/22

The next scheduled meeting of the Committee has been agreed for 10:00 hours on 30 November 2022 in the Main Conference Room, at Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters, Fulwood.

Further meetings are:          scheduled for 29 March 2023 and 10 July 2023

                                                proposed for  27 September 2023

The next meeting of the Committee would be held on 30 November 2022 at 10:00 hours in the Main Conference Room at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Fulwood.

Further meeting dates were noted for 29 March 2023 and 10 July 2023 and agreed for 27 September 2023.

The Committee is asked to consider whether, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, they consider that the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, indicated under the heading to the item.

RESOLVED: - That the press and members of the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, indicated under the heading to the item.

(Pensions 4 and 5)

(Paragraphs 4 and 5)

Members considered an update report on the current position regarding pension schemes that applied to the uniformed members of the Fire Sector.

RESOLVED: - That the ongoing situation be noted.

(Paragraphs 1, 4 and 5)

(Paragraphs 1, 4 and 5)

County Councillor Mein joined the meeting.

Members considered a report regarding an IDRP Stage 2 application under the Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure.  The report outlined the facts of the case.

RESOLVED: - That the Committee declined the application presented.

(Paragraph 3)

(Paragraph 3)

Members considered a report that provided an update on all contracts for one-off purchases valued in excess of £100,000 and high value procurement projects in excess of £100,000 including: new contract awards, progress of ongoing projects and details of new projects.

RESOLVED:  That the Committee noted and endorsed the report.

An item of business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Clerk should be given advance warning of any Member’s intention to raise a matter under this heading.

(Paragraph 1)

Members received a report tabled under urgent business regarding the circumstances relating to a request for an extension of sick pay.

RESOLVED: - That the Committee approved not to agree the request for the extension of half sick pay to full sick pay on the grounds that there were no exceptional circumstances.

(Paragraph 1)

(Paragraph 1)

Only Members and relevant Officers were present for this item.

RESOLVED: - That the Committee approved the recommendation outlined in the report.