In relation of matters of the agenda, seek declarations of interest from Members, in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Authority’s Code of Conduct for Members.

There were none.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Powell.

Any Members wishing to raise urgent items are asked, wherever possible, to notify the Chairman before the start of the meeting. In so doing, they must state the special circumstances which they consider justify the matter being considered urgently.

There were none.

RESOLVED: That the non-confidential minutes of the Principal Officer Appointments Panel held on 24 September 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Assistant Director People Services

The Panel received a report from Assistant Director People Services (ADPS) on the review the relocation allowance policy.  The Panel was asked to consider a proposal to increase the relocation policy amount from £8,500 to £10,000 for Principal Officers (POs) to coincide with the recruitment of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer vacancy.  The Panel was also invited to ask the Chief Fire Officer to exercise her powers in relation to benefits to approve the uplift in relocation amount for other staff to ensure there was one policy for all.

The ADPS introduced the report highlighting the benchmarking exercise which had been carried out and showed that East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) currently offered a lower relocation allowance compared to some neighbouring and similar sized Services, moreover, the average cost of housing in South East was higher than the UK average.  Feedback from previous recruitment campaigns had been that potential applicants had been put off applying because of the relocation package.  If the Panel were minded to agree, the increase would apply to PO’s only as decision for all staff was a matter for CFO, however, Panel could ask the CFO to apply uplift for all staff.

The Panel agreed that an uplift in the allowance was appropriate.

RESOLVED: That the Panel:

i)         approved an increase of the relocation policy amount from £8,500 to £10,000 for Principal Officers to coincide with the recruitment of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer vacancy.

ii)        asked the Chief Fire Officer to exercise her powers in relation to benefits to approve the uplift in relocation amount for other staff using the delegated power as articulated in paragraph 1.7 of the report to ensure there was one policy for all.

To consider whether, in view of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that, if the public and press were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.  NOTE: Any item appearing in the confidential part of the Agenda states in its heading the category under which the information disclosed in the report is confidential and therefore not available to the public.

RESOLVED: That

i)       item 15 be exempt under paragraphs 1,3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 and accordingly not open for public inspection on the grounds that the report contains:

·         Information relating to an individual.

·         Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

·         Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the Authority and its employees.

ii)      item 16 be exempt under paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 and accordingly not open for public inspection on the grounds that the report contains:

·         Information relating to any individual.

·         Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

·         Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

·         Information relating to contemplated consultations or negotiation in connection with labour relations matters arising between the Authority and its employees.

RESOLVED: That the confidential minutes of the Principal Officers Appointment Panel held on 24 September 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Assistant Director People Services