James Barlow

Spud Murphy - local councillor and winner of "Best Comb-Over" rosette at the Bath & West Show for three years running, has been the recipient of another Hatchet Job from the local press over Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual relations in the Avon Fire and Rescue Service.

This is not directly related to the suspension and fines levied against four Avon firefighters for "disturbing two men having sex on the Downs", as the Evening Post describes it. (You at the back, stop laughing.)

Back in October, the Avon Fire & Rescue Service held a two day conference entitled "‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equality in the fire service – an absolute taboo?". You can still download the programme from the AFS website.

Spud's contention is that the £32,000 spent on this conference was a bit pointless. £2,100 came directly from the budget of Avon Fire & Rescue, another £6,100 came from sponsors (which will ultimately be reflected in the price of new uniforms, and union dues.) and the rest came from delegates, each paying £158.63 inc VAT, dinner included but you'll need £130 per night for the Hotel Room and £8 for parking. It's a safe bet that all one hundred and fifty delegates attending the conference worked in the public sector, so ultimately all of the expense ends up back with the tax payer. Oh, snf there was a Raffle, all proceeds going to the International Lesbian and Gay Association.

In today's Evening Post, the Chair of the Avon Fire Authority "hits back". He says:

"As a member of Avon Fire Authority, I am astonished that Councillor Murphy seems unaware of his responsibilities as an employer. Not only do we have a statutory duty to promote equality, we also have a moral responsibility to tackle and eradicate all forms of prejudice.

It is a disgrace that Councillor Murphy questions 'What has this got to do with the fire service?' as it publicly demonstrates his ignorance of the legislation he has a responsibility to comply with as an employer and must raise questions as to his suitability to hold office.

In my view discrimination has fear and ignorance at its heart and it is right and proper that we do all that we can to raise awareness and improve understanding of people's difference, in whatever form that may be."

This is a good example of a debating technique known as setting up a straw man. Spud's contention is that this particular conference was a waste of time and money. The response is to claim that Spud is immoral and ignorant for refusing to accept that LGBT people deserve equal rights. Not a very good bit of debate, and a nasty bit of politicking by the Evening Post and the Chair of the AFA.

It's worth clarifying here that the Avon Fire Authority is the body that owns the fire stations and pays salaries, whereas Avon Fire & Rescue Service are the guys in the yellow, plastic hats.

Spud is - as usual - talking common sense. If the goal is to stop harrassment and bullying, and make sure employers know their statutory duties, couldn't this have been done by posting a notice in every Fire Station saying "Treat Your Co-workers with respect" and getting the HR department to update the employee's handbook (Nominal Cost: £500)

What was the AFA/AFRS approach? To spend two days in a hotel discussing such topics as "Missing in action - LGBT leaders. The impact of homophobia / hetereosexism on fire and emergency services - Chief of Latir Volunteer Fire Department, New Mexico, Jona Olsson" or "An introduction to transgender equality - Scottish Transgender Alliance, Development Worker, James Morton." (Actual Cost: £32,000 minimum to the UK tax payer, not including the hotel bill)

Terry Walker, the Chair of the Avon Fire Authority, holds his position by virtue of being the councillor (Lab) for Kings Chase ward in South Gloucestershire Council, and indeed in his Annual Councillor Report 2006-2007 states

All my time is taken up as chair of the Fire Authority, as I sit on bodies at regional and national level.

Cllr Walker also states that his achievement for the year was "WON a hand faught election" [sic]. I will charitably assume this is a transcription error.

I agree with Spud - Avon Fire & Rescue gained no benefit from this conference that couldn't have been obtained by other means, without spending so much tax payers' money. Perhaps Cllr Walker, as Chair of the Fire Authority, can investigate ways of reducing costs with the Head of Diversity at Avon Fire & Rescue. That is, as soon as she returns from her two month fact finding trip to the United States.

Judging by the photos at her Online Diary, Barbara Brown is developing some interesting new approaches to promoting cultural diversity.

Postscript: I wasn't able to attend the conference, so couldn't participate in the workshop session entitled "The Big LGBT Quiz!, Facilitator: Independent Equalities Consultant, Anne Hayfield". I wonder if she asked the question "What percentage of the UK population is transgender?" (Answer: 1660 out of 60.6 million, about 0.003%)

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