It was moved by Councillor Lusty, seconded by Councillor Mrs Wilson, that the recommendations of the Member and Employment and Development Panel relating to the Pay Policy Statement be approved.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Pay Policy Statement, attached as an Appendix to the report of the Member and Employment and Development Panel, be approved.

2.  That the Chief Executive be given delegated authority in consultation with the Chairman and Political Group Spokespersons of the Member and Employment and Development Panel to make minor amendments to the Pay Policy Statement, if required, prior to publication, including any amendments required following the negotiations with the trade unions on the annual pay review.

The Panel considered the report of the Chief Executive regarding a requirement of the Localism Act 2011 which requires English and Welsh local authorities to produce a pay policy statement for 2012/13 and for each financial year after that.

The Head of HR Shared Service informed the Panel that there are some areas, e.g. the pay multiplier, where clarification is still being sought and, therefore, minor changes may need to be made to the Pay Policy Statement before it is published.

The Panel asked a number of questions regarding, inter alia, definition of earnings, car allowances/mileage rates, market supplements and training of current staff.

The Head of HR Shared Service circulated amendments to the following areas of the Pay Policy Statement:-

·  Pay multiplier (page 15)

·  Car allowances and Bonuses (page 13)

·  National Information (Appendix D)

·  Explanation of information published (Appendix I(H))

The Panel felt that as there was currently no member of staff receiving a market supplement, then the Pay Policy Statement should say just that.

RESOLVED: 

1.  That Council be recommended:-

i)  To approve the Pay Policy Statement, as amended by the Head of HR Shared Service and subject to the following amendments:-

Page 11, 3.2 – Market Supplements – delete all wording, except for the last sentence “Currently there are no employees in receipt of Market Supplements within the Council.”

  Page 13, 3.5 – Car Allowances – include the mileage rates paid for the two levels of car allowance.

ii)  That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman and Political Group Spokespersons, be given delegated authority to make minor amendments to the Pay Policy Statement, if required, prior to publication, including any amendments required following the negotiations with trade unions on the annual pay review.

2.  That a further analysis of the car allowances figures and mileage rates be undertaken by Officers and reported back to this Panel.