Issue - meetings

The Localism Act 2011 (Section 39) requires all public authorities to publish an Annual Pay Policy Statement. The Council is required to adopt the Annual Pay Policy Statement each year and the Council is not legally permitted to depart from the policies set out in that statement when it considers actual decisions in relation to individuals’ remuneration, including redundancy and/or severance.

The Annual Pay Policy Statement for the 2022/23 financial year is attached at Annexe 1. It has been updated in line with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011, resulting in minimal adjustments from last year which are shown as tracked changes.

Recommendation

That the Executive recommend to Council that the Pay Policy Statement for the 2022/23 financial year, attached at Annexe 1, be approved.

RESOLVED

That the Executive recommend to Council that the Pay Policy Statement for the 2022/23 financial year, attached at Annexe 1, be approved.

Reason: To comply with the Localism Act 2011 (Sections 38 and 39).

[This matter is recommended to Council for decision and is not subject to the call-in procedure.]

The Leader presented the report, which set out the Council’s Pay Policy Statement which it was required to review on an annual basis.

Councillor Hyman spoke on the report and asked why there was no reference in the statement to those working from home following the pandemic and whether the Council could consider recruiting from other parts of the country.  In response, the Leader advised that there was no need to have a different pay structure for staff working from home.  Work was dependant on objectives and was not location specific.  Councillor Townsend clarified that those staff working from home were carrying out the same job as they would be if they were working from the office.  She welcomed the Council’s dedicated officers who were achieving for residents every day.  Councillor Merryweather challenged with the implication that the Council could save money by employing cheaper staff who lived in other areas of the country.

RESOLVED

That the Executive recommend to Council that the Pay Policy Statement for the 2022/23 financial year, attached at Annexe 1, be approved.

Reason: To comply with the Localism Act 2011 (Sections 38 and 39).