Decision details

The Committee was required under the Constitution to consider the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25 and make a recommendation to Full Council on the statement.

The statement was summarised by Lorna Baxter, Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, noting that the ratio between the highest and lowest paid at the Council had reduced.  This was largely due to the implementation of the National Living Wage over the last couple of years.

Councillor Bartholomew noted that Full Council agreed to the appointment of the new Chief Executive at a certain pay rate.  The Chief Executive commenced on 1 March 2023 and a month later received a salary increase.  This would certainly never happen in the private sector.  He believed that this should have been made clear to Council.

Officers responded to points made by Members as follows:

·       The Chief Executive received the local government pay award on 1 April 2023 as did all other council employees.  The level of increase was not known until later in the year but officers agreed that it would be better to flag this in future if an appointment is made late in the financial year.

·       The position of Chief Fire Officer was not on the list that must be reported – perhaps because not many local authorities were responsible for the fire service.

·       Staff on lower grades received up to a 10% increase while it was 3.5% for chief officers.

Councillor Bartholomew proposed an amendment to add c) to the recommendations:

“c) Ensure that for future appointments it will be made clear to Full Council that any pay rise will be applied in April even if a senior officer is appointed in March, for example.”

The amendment was agreed.  The recommendations were then agreed as amended.

RESOLVED to

a)                  Receive the report.

b)                  Recommend the 2024/25 Pay Policy Statement prior to progression to Full Council for approval.

c)                  Ensure that for future appointments it will be made clear to Full Council that any pay rise will be applied in April even if a senior officer is appointed in March, for example.