Issue - meetings

This report presents Members with an update on the progress of the pay negotiations for the financial year 2021/2022.

Discussion:

Members considered a report regarding progress of the pay negotiations for the financial year 2021/2022.

The Unison pay claim consisted of three elements:

• A 1.3% across the board cost of living increase

• A minimum of Real Living Wage for all staff (£9.50 an hour)

• Two extra days of annual leave for all staff

The Head of HR advised that the Council wanted to recognise the hard work of staff in what had been a difficult year and, in spite of a national pay freeze, the 1% provision for an increase in pay remained. She acknowledged that awarding pay to staff under the existing MedPay arrangements this year would  be very difficult due to the pandemic. Further consideration was being given to determine how the pay award was to be allocated and Members were assured that the Trade Unions would be kept informed on discussions on this matter.

Some Members made the point that Unison’s 1.3% pay claim was reasonable and, given how challenging the year had been, should be accepted. It was argued that the Council’s offer of 1% was effectively a pay cut in real terms and would make little difference. Comments were made about the unsatisfactory nature of the negotiations on the pay award as the 1% award was included in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and not something the Committee could negotiate. Disappointment was expressed that the non-financial elements of the pay claim had not been costed. Noting that Full Council would be asked to delegate to the Chief Executive the authority to decide how to allocate the final pay award, it was suggested that this delegation should require consultation with the Trade Unions before a decision was made.

It was then proposed that the Committee recommend to Full Council that £1,096,000 be allocated for pay awards.

In accordance with Rule 12.4 of the Council Rules, a recorded vote on this proposal was taken.

For – Councillors Khan, Mahil and Prenter

Against – Councillors Carr, Fearn, Hackwell and Thompson.

The Chairman declared that the proposal had not been approved.

The following was then proposed and agreed:

a)    that the Committee recommend to full Council that £903,914 is allocated for pay awards.

b)    that the Committee notes that Council will be recommended to delegate to the Head of Paid Service the authority to agree how the 2021/22 pay award for colleagues is allocated.

c)    that the Committees notes that the Head of HR will continue to discuss with the Trade Unions how the final pay award will be allocated.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to:

a)      recommend to full Council that £903,914 is allocated for pay awards.

b)      note that Council will be recommended to delegate to the Head of Paid Service the authority to agree how the 2021/22 pay award for colleagues is allocated.

c)      note that the Head of HR will continue to discuss with the Trade Unions how the final pay award will be allocated.