The Committee is requested to consider the identification of:

a)  declarations of interest by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

b)  any additional items of business which the Chair has determined should be considered as matters of urgency; and

c)  items of business which may require the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

Members considered the identification of declarations of interest, urgent matters of business and any items of business that would require the exclusion of the press and public.

a)    There were no declarations of interest made by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the agenda.

b)    There were no additional items of business which the Chair had determined to be considered as matters of urgency.

c)    There were no items of business which required the exclusion of the press and public during the consideration thereof, due to the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

As this is the first meeting of the Consultation and Negotiation Sub-Committee for 2013/14 there are no previous minutes to consider.

As this was the first meeting of the Consultation & Negotiation Sub-Committee for 2013/14, there were no minutes of previous meetings for consideration and approval.

To consider Report CFO/095/13 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning dialogue with representative bodies, including matters of negotiation and consultation; and an update regarding progress of industrial relations since the last meeting of the Consultation & Negotiation Committee on 26^th March 2013.

Members considered Report CFO/095/13 of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, concerning dialogue with the representative bodies, including matters of negotiation and consultation; and an update regarding progress of industrial relations since the last meeting of the Consultation and Negotiation Committee on 26^th March 2013.

Members were provided with an update on matters of consultation and negotiation, including; progress with Service Instructions, outcomes of the IRMP 2013-16 consultation process with representative bodies, redundancy consultation, revised disciplinary procedure and contract harmonisation.

Members were also advised that the Fire Brigades Union have requested further details in relation to the final offer of the Chief Fire Officer over a default shift system and revised staffing model, prior to any decision being made. The Chief Fire Officer, therefore informed the Committee of his intention to hold intense negotiations with FBU representatives, throughout the remainder of the week, with a view to reaching an agreement before Friday 26^th July 2013.

The Chair of the Authority – Cllr Dave Hanratty proposed that delegated authority be granted to the Chief Fire Officer to make appropriate arrangements, should an agreement not be reached.

This motion was seconded by Cllr Les Byrom.

Members Resolved:

(a)  That the contents of the report and progress being made to maintain effective and constructive industrial relations with the representative bodies be noted.

(b)  Delegated authority be granted to the Chief Fire Officer to make appropriate arrangements, should an agreement not be reached with FBU representatives over the default shift system and revised staffing model.