Agenda item

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Richard Jones of the Nottinghamshire Fire Brigades Union (FBU) asked a question on the Thomas Review:

The Fire Brigades Union is highly critical of the Thomas Review. Our fear is that the review is an attack on national bargaining arrangements, and is a prelude to further attacks on Firefighter’s pay and other conditions of service.

Should this report be agreed by the Fire Authority, we request that the Fire Brigades Union, who represents 95% of operational staff in Nottinghamshire, is offered a position on the proposed working group, to allow us to raise the concerns of our membership.

The Chair responded as follows:

As you will be aware the Thomas Review was commissioned 2 years ago during the height of industrial action. The review process focused on the collection of evidence through face to face meeting with a number of stakeholders. This Authority was not visited as our invitation was declined, however we did produce a written submission which was approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee.

Although Government have made it clear they are not minded to remove the right to strike from firefighters, the Minister has commented that this is a call to action for the sector, however there is no emerging detail to clarify what this means. 

Addressing your point about the FBU being allowed to raise concerns with Elected Members, I appreciate that the current officials of the FBU may be unaware of the open channel for dialogue that have been in place for many years. It is my desire that this continues as we work together with the workforce to collectively consider the issues going forward.

In November I met with the FBU Regional EC member accompanied by one of the local officials, and just a few weeks ago arrangements were made for the local officials of the FBU and I to meet to discuss current issues. It is unfortunate that this meeting was cancelled by the FBU at short notice as this would have provided an ideal opportunity to discuss the Thomas Review and any other concerns that you may have.

Yesterday, at the request of the previous FBU Brigade Secretary, the Chief Fire Officer and I met with the Brigade Committee of the FBU where very useful dialogue took place around the current challenges that the Service is facing.

Earlier this week I spoke with officials from another trade union to discuss their concerns and it was a very insightful and productive meeting.

I am also aware that dialogue takes place between the FBU and other Members of the Fire Authority.

In terms of the proposed ‘Task and Finish Group’, The Authority needs to fully consider the implications of the Thomas Review, and should the group conclude that wider engagement is required it will be a matter for them to consider if they wish to receive any comment from workforce representatives regarding the Review.

John Buckley, Chief Fire Officer at NFRS introduced the report on the Thomas Reivew.

The following points were highlighted:

(a)  the majority of recommendations from the Thomas Review have already been met;

(b)  Government are not responding to this review as yet, but are saying that this is a ‘call for action’ for the sector;

Councillors highlighted that some expediency would be needed on any work arising from this review because of elections in May.  The Chair commented that the Authority need to pick out items from the review that are relevant to them rather than the LGA or the NJC.

RESOLVED to request that Members of Policy and Strategy Committee form a Task and Finish Working Group to consider the Thomas Review and report back to the Authority.