Meeting documents

To consider this report.

The Committee considered this report that set out proposed amendments to the Pay Policy Statement (PPS) for 2020/21. It was noted that the amendments were minor and mainly related to date changes.

In response to a question it was stated that the Local Government Association (LGA) had undertaken a series of regional briefings in September 2019 and found that most Councils had budgeted for 2% pay rises although a few had budgeted up to 3%. Somerset had budgeted for 2.75% to match the Teachers pay rise agreed earlier in 2019 and concerns were expressed nationally about the affordability of more than 2%. It was further noted that the minimum wage stood at £8.72 p/hr and the lowest rate paid by the Council was £9 p/hr. Staff pay award negiotiations were ongoing.

An overview was provided on the Council’s current mental health policy, and well-being strategy, and the current quarter had been dedicated to ‘every mind matters’, to help raise awareness of mental health issues and to encourage openness and conversation about it to help everyone involved. It was noted Elected Memebrs had many conversations/experiences that could led to mental health issues, and it was asked if things available/provided for staff be replicated for Elected Members and the Director agreed to consider this issue.

The Committee agreed unanimously to:

1. To recommend the Council to approve the Pay Policy Statement for the Council for 2020-21, attached as Appendix A to the report, to have effect from 1 April 2020;

2. To note the revised National Living Wage rate from 1st April 2020

3. To note the proposals from the staff side tabled on 24 July 2019;

4. To give consideration to the Grades 1-3 pay increase in relation to the national Green Book pay negotiations which are expected to resume early in 2020 – and for those to be considered at a future meeting.

The Committee considered this report that set out proposed amendments to the Pay Policy Statement (PPS) for 2020/21. It was noted that the amendments were minor and mainly related to date changes.

In response to a question it was stated that the Local Government Association (LGA) had undertaken a series of regional briefings in September 2019 and found that most Councils had budgeted for 2% pay rises although a few had budgeted up to 3%. Somerset had budgeted for 2.75% to match the Teachers pay rise agreed earlier in 2019 and concerns were expressed nationally about the affordability of more than 2%. It was further noted that the minimum wage stood at £8.72 p/hr and the lowest rate paid by the Council was £9 p/hr. Staff pay award negiotiations were ongoing.

An overview was provided on the Council’s current mental health policy, and well-being strategy, and the current quarter had been dedicated to ‘every mind matters’, to help raise awareness of mental health issues and to encourage openness and conversation about it to help everyone involved. It was noted Elected Memebrs had many conversations/experiences that could led to mental health issues, and it was asked if things available/provided for staff be replicated for Elected Members and the Director agreed to consider this issue.

The Committee agreed unanimously to:

1. To recommend the Council to approve the Pay Policy Statement for the Council for 2020-21, attached as Appendix A to the report, to have effect from 1 April 2020;

2. To note the revised National Living Wage rate from 1st April 2020

3. To note the proposals from the staff side tabled on 24 July 2019;

4. To give consideration to the Grades 1-3 pay increase in relation to the national Green Book pay negotiations which were expected to resume early in 2020 – and for those to be considered at a future meeting.