Dear Sir/Madam
TECHNICAL ADVISORY PANEL (Mid and West Wales, 25 July 2012)
1. Section 4, part A, paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of the Scheme of Conditions of Service (Grey Book) outlines the principles on which duty systems should be based.
2. Where local agreement cannot be reached between the fire and rescue authority and the recognised trade union the difference can be referred to the NJC’s Technical Advisory Panel whose role is to seek agreement, but where that is not possible, to make recommendations.
3. Professor William Brown, who is assisted by the Joint Secretaries, is currently the Acting chair of the panel.
4. The Technical Advisory Panel met on 25 July 2012 to consider a referral from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
5. A copy of the position jointly agreed that day, which is applicable only to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, is attached. .
Yours faithfully
SARAH MESSENGER
MATT WRACK
Joint Secretaries
NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
TECHNICAL ADVISORY PANEL (TAP)
PARTIES: MID AND WEST WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
FIRE BRIGADES UNION
1. The panel met with the local parties on 25th July 2012 in central London.
2. Following consideration of the differences between the parties, both local parties agreed to take the matter forward in two steps as follows:
- To start by 22nd August, discussions without pre-determined outcomes on the duty system appropriate for Llanelli. This will include discussion on the efficient use of resources, CFS provision and the prevailing financial circumstances including relevant data. Such discussions to be finished by 25th October 2012.
(ii) To start discussions immediately thereafter on the remaining 5 wholetime stations. Such discussions should also be without predetermined outcomes. This will include discussion on the efficient use of resources, CFS provision and the prevailing financial circumstances including relevant data. Discussion will conclude by 31st January 2013.
3. Both parties agree to enter into such discussions in a positive way and mindful of the principles contained in the NJC’s Joint Protocol on Good Industrial Relations.
4. Whilst the expectation is that the discussions will result in agreement, the Technical Advisory Panel remains available to the parties should it be required.
