Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Liz Leffman (substituted by Councillor Neil Fawcett), Councillor Eddie Reeves (substituted by Councillor Nick Field-Johnson) and Councillor Yvonne Constance (substituted by Councillor David Bartholomew).

The Committee sent its best wishes to Councillor Constance who was recovering from illness.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2023 (RC3a) and the minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 2023 (RC3b) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meetings held on 26 October 2023 and on 3 November 2023 were approved as accurate records of those meetings.

Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection. 

To facilitate ‘hybrid’ meetings we are asking that requests to speak or present a petition are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting.  Requests to speak should be sent to committeesdemocraticservices@oxfordshire.gov.uk .

If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that your views are taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am 2 working days before the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

There were none.

Report by the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer

The Localism Act requires all councils to agree and publish a Pay Policy Statement every financial year.

The Remuneration Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

a)              Receive the report.

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

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.

It is proposed that the Committee meets on

·       Monday 4 November 2024 at 10am to consider the annual Gender and Ethnic Pay Gap Reports and any other business required and

·       Wednesday 15 January 2025 at 10am to consider the annual Pay Policy Statement and any other business required.

Other meetings to be arranged as required.

The proposed meeting dates were agreed as follows:

·       Monday 4 November 2024 at 10am

·       Wednesday 15 January 2025 at 10am

·       Other meetings to be arranged as required.

To approve the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2023.

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2023 were approved.