To approve the 2018 pay policy for publication.

Council considered a report by the Chairman of the Employment Panel concerning the Pay Policy Statement for 2018. The Leader introduced the report and explained that it was a statutory responsibility for council to approve the publication of the statement. The Leader moved the Pay Policy Statement contained in the papers and Councillor Phillips seconded.

Members raised the following points in the debate which followed:

·           The retention of the pay ration of 10:1 between the highest and lowest paid employees at the Council was welcomed;

·           Detail regarding whether the Council was paying women at the same rate as men for equivalent jobs was requested. The Leader confirmed that a written response would be provided.

·           Information regarding the average gender pay gap between male and female employees was requested. The Leader confirmed that a written response would be provided.

The pay policy at appendix A was put to the vote and agreed by a majority of council.

Resolved – that the Pay Policy Statement at appendix A summarising council policies is approved.

To consider the 2018 pay policy statement for recommendation to Council. It is a statutory requirement for Council to approve an annual pay policy statement.

The head of HR and organisational development presented the report and highlighted that the statement adhered to the source legislation.   It was noted that all changes from the previous year’s statement were detailed in appendix 2 of the report. 

During the discussion, the following points were raised:

·         The changes had been crossed referenced to the relevant sections of the constitution

·         The honorarium definition in paragraph 18 needed to be clearer as it appeared to contradict paragraph 17 which covered performance related bonuses.   

The head of HR and organisational development agreed to amend the report to show the legal difference between performance related bonuses and honorariums. 

RESOLVED

That the draft pay policy statement be recommended to full Council for approval.