Employers’ Secretary, Naomi Cooke
Local Government Association,
18 Smith Square,
Westminster,
London, SW1P 3HZ
e-mail: [email protected]
Employees’ Secretary, Matt Wrack
Bradley House,
68 Coombe Rd
Kingston upon
ThamesKT2 7AE
Telephone 020 8541 1765
NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
_______________________________________________________________
To: Chief Fire Officers
Chief Executives/Clerks to Fire Authorities
Chairs of Fire Authorities
Directors of HR (Fire Authorities)
Members of the National Joint Council
_______________________________________________________________
10 November 2023
CIRCULAR NJC/6/23 - WORKFORCE SURVEY
1. The National Joint Council is seeking your assistance in the provision of important workforce data.
2. You will be aware that in the past we have done this periodically, as it is important that we have up-to-date and accurate information, particularly given the wide-ranging discussions currently taking place within the NJC.
3. The last NJC pay, and numbers survey took place in 2018, the survey was due to run again in 2020/21 but was postponed due to COVID-19.
4. This year’s iteration of the survey contains an additional section which seeks information on maternity pay provisions across the sector. Additionally, there are a few extra questions to capture diversity data, which will help to inform discussions within the NJC-led Inclusive Fire Service Group and other equality and diversity initiatives.
5. We recognise this adds to the time and resource required to complete the survey, but we are confident that this should avoid any additional surveys of this nature for some time.
6. Authorities are asked to complete and return the attached survey by no later than 8 December 2023
7. Responses should be provided to Stephen Richards at Local Government Association, Research & Information: [email protected]
8. Guidance notes are also attached. Any queries in relation to completion of the survey should also be directed to Stephen Richards [email protected] ).
9. Fire and rescue services are reminded of the need for accuracy when responding to requests of this nature. Results of fire surveys will be used to inform national fire negotiations and inform considerations around equality, diversity, and inclusion issues.
10. Inaccurate returns may therefore result in additional costs for your fire authority so please take care to check the accuracy of the information you supply before sending it to us.
11. Can we thank you in advance for taking the time to provide this important workforce data, it is greatly appreciated, and extremely helpful.
Yours faithfully
NAOMI COOKE
MATT WRACK
Joint Secretaries