Bedfordshire’s fire chiefs say they were caught by surprise when a major update to the rulebook covering the pay, conditions and employment of the country’s most senior fire officers was published last month.
The “Gold Book”, which sets out the national terms for chief fire officers and other senior managers, has been updated for the first time in 19 years.
The sixth edition, released on August 12, supersedes the 2006 version and updates the rules to reflect modern employment law, using more equitable language and enhancing procedures for handling misconduct cases.
But Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority only found out about the changes when the document appeared.
Interim head of people Angela Paradise, told the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority Executive Committee this week (Wednesday, 3 September): “It did come a little bit of a surprise.
“But it’s positive to note that the larger focus on the new revision of the Gold Book is around diversity… acknowledging that brigade managers now and in the future can come from a range of backgrounds.”
Update overdue
Senior leaders no longer need to have come up through the firefighter ranks, opening the door to people with backgrounds in finance, HR or emergency planning.
Councillor Mahmood Hussain (Luton Borough Council) asked whether this would make any real difference, “Words can be beautiful, lovely, but doesn’t make any difference. That’s what I’m looking at really.”
Ms Paradise explained that modernised, more inclusive language and recognition of wider leadership routes would help with succession planning and workforce planning.
The revised rulebook also tightens up disciplinary and grievance procedures for senior officers.
It introduces clearer rules for investigations, emphasises fairness and transparency, and sets out how suspensions must be handled as a neutral act, subject to regular review.
Chief fire officer Andrew Hopkinson said the update was overdue, “Whilst the Grey Book has been updated over a number of times in recent years, the Gold Book hadn’t kept pace.
“So at least at the very least it’s brought us… up to date with the other two conditions of service.”
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority agreed to carry out a local review of its own policies and report back later this year on any changes needed.
The Gold Book sits alongside the Grey Book, which covers firefighters and middle managers, and the Green Book, which covers non-operational staff.
While the changes are described nationally as “mainly technical,” Bedfordshire chiefs say they will have to check carefully what the new edition means in practice for succession planning, diversity and accountability at the top of the service.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
