Issue - meetings

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development introduced the report on behalf of its author Claire Kirby. He said that the pay gap had slightly widened, but was essentially the same as it was in other years. This was due to the overpopulation of women across the organisation, with a heavier distribution of women in lower paid jobs. He explained that those attracted to the flexibility of lower paid jobs were those with childcare responsibilities, which were traditionally women. He said that many male dominated job roles had also been outsourced including jobs in Waste, IT, Parks and Leisure and Maintenance.

Councillor McMullen said that the report gave the impression that all was going well, and that all balanced out. He said that he was impressed, and gave his congratulations to officers for their work.

Councillor Dumont referred to page 36 of the report regarding e- learning courses which included unconscious bias training. He welcomed the inclusion of such training and said that the Council’s demographic mirrored the population, and so the organisation was in a good place already.

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that nobody wanted to use ‘industry excuses’ but the Council does have a female domination in part due to the flexibility which it offers.

Councillor Ruffles expressed his concern about creating a bias for customer service and asked if customer facing roles were a good male career path. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that customer service roles did not have a high turnover and welcomed those with childcare responsibilities. He added that there were two men in Customer Services, and that men had been employed in entry roles positions in other areas, for example in Planning. 

Councillor Ruffles said it was important to appoint the best person to the job. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that this was what was being done, and that the case studies within the report showed this. He added that the latest apprentice appointed to Customer Service was male, but reiterated that the council could not recruit on the basis of gender.        

The Chairman referred to page 39 of the report and asked for any comments on the action plan.

It was moved by Councillor McMullen and seconded by Councillor Buckmaster that the recommendations, as detailed, be approved. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Gender Pay Gap Report be noted.

(B)   that the action plan 22/23 be agreed.