Issue - meetings

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources which provided an update on recent proposed changes to pay, particularly for lower paid staff, to be implemented from 2016-17 and for the following 4 years. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 7’ is filed with these minutes.

The Director advised that a review of the entire pay structure would need to be conducted in the light of the National Living Wage policy. 

The Committee raised concern that the implementation of the National Living Wage could impact the Council’s ability to compete with the private sector.  This was highlighted as an issue particularly in respect of the recruitment and retention of specialised staff, such as those in IT and social care. The Committee was advised that in order to ensure the staff with the necessary skills were attracted and retained by the Council, an emphasis would need to be placed on both pay and non-pay benefits, such as the Local Government Pension Scheme.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the pay update for 2016-17 be noted;

(b)  That a report on the scope and timeline of the work being undertaken to review the Council’s pay structure be presented to the Committee at its next meeting on 3 December 2015.