Issue - meetings

This report provides information and options for the committee to make a recommendation to Council for a staff pay award for 2024/25.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Recommend to full council a 6% pay award for staff for 2024/25 as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report.

The Committee received a report providing information and options to enable it to make a recommendation to Council for a staff pay award for 2024/25.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Rate of inflation. Members of the Committee noted that the rate of inflation had been significantly above the percentage pay award agreed for staff in recent years and expressed support for the higher rates provided as options within the report.

b)            Budgetary considerations. Members of the Committee noted that a pay award of above 3% would have implications for the council’s projected budget deficit.

c)            Staff eligibility for pay progression. In response to a question from a councillor, the Interim Director of Corporate Services informed the Committee that around four-fifths of council employees were eligible for pay progression. Pay progression would typically equate to an additional 2% increase in salary.

d)            Staff benefits – travel. In response to a question from a councillor, the Chief Executive informed the Committee that staff had access to a subsidised car parking scheme and season ticket loans.

e)            Average staff salary. In response to a question from a councillor, the Interim Director of Corporate Services informed the Committee that as at 30 November 2021 the mean average pay for employees other than the Chief Officers was £30,362.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Recommend to full council a 6% pay award for staff for 2024/25 as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report.