Issue - meetings

Councillor Cutting, the Executive Member for Corporate Services, submitted a report from the Human Resources Committee who had considered and supported the approval of the Pay Policy Statement 2021-22.

Councillor Cutting proposed and Councillor Bolton seconded, a motion that the proposals be supported. A motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded, was put to the meeting and a vote taken. The motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 be approved

The Head of HR and OD briefly introduced the report and explained the main changes. Honorariums had been strengthened and other slight amendments made to reflect changes, such as in pay scales. Members were also advised that UNISON had just submitted its annual pay claim of 10%.

Councillor Bull asked whether UNISON believed this was a realistic and attainable increase.

The Head of HR and OD said that it did and had cited a 25% cut in pay in real terms since 2010. However, the same claim had been submitted last year and resulted in a 2.75% increase. There was also a feeling that central government may scrap its 2024 Living Wage target due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase of the amount claimed for could likely not be accommodated from the Council’s budget without redundancies.

It was moved by Councillor Alder and seconded by Councillor Bull that the recommendation, as detailed, be approved. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – to recommend to Council that the Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 be approved.