Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources which sought approval for the submission of the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 to the County Council for approval on 18 February 2026. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 7’, is filed with these minutes.

Arising from discussion, the following points were made:

(i)             In response to a question asked, the Director stated that the purpose of the Pay Policy Statement was to set out the Council’s policies relating to the pay of its workforce. The Statement was reviewed annually and enabled elected members of the Council to make decisions on pay.

(ii)            It was noted that the most recently revised pay structure had taken effect from 1 April 2019, in order to ensure that the provisions set out by the National Joint Council (NJC) pay award for 2019/20 were met. An analysis of the pay structure was expected to take place in 2026, against considerations in relation to pay negotiations for 2026/27, an increase in the national minimum wage, and the Council’s financial position, in order to determine whether a review of the structure should be required.

(iii)          A question was asked regarding the approval process of the Pay Policy Statement. The Director for Law and Governance advised that the Employment Committee, as the body responsible for determining the terms and conditions on which staff held office, was the body responsible for approving the Pay Policy Statement for submission to full County Council. Under Section 38 of the Localism Act, local authorities in England and Wales were required to produce a Pay Policy Statement for each financial year which must have been approved by full County Council. The Council was therefore required to publish the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 on or before 1 April 2026. As the Policy Statement was not an executive function, it would not be considered by the Cabinet or by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee. In the event that the Committee did not approve the Policy Statement for submission to full County Council, amendment of the Policy Statement would be required, as per recommendations made by the Committee. It would then be presented to the Committee at a future meeting for approval for submission to full County Council.

(iv)          It was noted that the Council adopted a local pay and grading structure, but that it was similar to the national Local Government Pay and Grading Structure. The Council remained part of the national pay bargaining machinery and was committed to applying NJC and Joint National Council (JNC) pay awards to employees on grades 2 to 22 inclusive. The grading of all posts in the Council, except Centrally Employed Teachers, was determined using the nationally recognised Hay Job Evaluation Scheme. It was noted that all employees were usually appointed to the minimum pay point applicable to the grade of the post. However, managers had discretion in some circumstances in order to appoint to a higher pay point, subject to the maximum of the grade.

(v)           The Council continued to publish the salary paid to each of its senior officers. The figures included taxable benefits. It was noted that the Chief Executive received an additional payment for their role as Electoral Registration Officer.

(vi)          In response to a question asked regarding the last time Council employees had not received an annual salary increase, the Director agreed to provide this information following the meeting.

It was moved by Mr. J. Miah CC and seconded by Mr. B. Lovegrove:

“That the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 be approved for submission to full County Council”.

The motion was put and carried, seven members voting for the motion and six against.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 be approved for submission to the full County Council at its meeting on 18 February 2026.

(b)  That the Director of Corporate resources be requested to provide the Employment Committee with information relating to the last time the Council employees had not received an annual salary increase, following the meeting.