Issue - meetings

The Committee considered the report of Mrs Bal Sandher, the Head of HR Shared Services which provided progress on the Workforce Strategy action plan.

The Head of HR Shared Services advised that there had been progress on all areas within the action plan.

The Committee noted that the gender pay differences at grades 13 and 14 was due to incremental points on the scale and the appointment rules in place.  Newly appointed employees were expected to be appointed at the lowest point of the grade and would move up each year provided there was satisfactory performance.  The majority of the female employees on these pay grades had been in post for a shorter time than their male counterparts and therefore had not progressed so far on the scale. 

In response to questions by Members, Mrs Sandher advised that:-

·  the delay in recruiting a new HR Manager had been due to the fact that the successful applicant had to give three months’ notice to their existing employer.

·  she was not aware of the circumstances as to why there had been a delay in recruiting a Democratic Services Officer.

·  The reason the ethnic make up of the Authority was not compared to the local area was due to the data available not being up to date as the last census carried out was in 2011.

·  That KCC had not offered up anything to replace the Annual Pension Briefings.  At present the Council dealt with any queries from staff.

Members made the following observations:-

·  That the gender pay difference should be continually monitored.

·  That more Councillors should go along to the One Council Briefing to show their support to staff.

RESOLVED:  That the progress of the actions as set out in the Workforce Strategy action plan as attached at Appendix 1 to the report be noted.