Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To request that Council approve the attached Pay Policy Statement, drafted in compliance with section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011.

Decision

That Council be recommended to approve the Pay Policy Statement.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The Localism Act 2011 required local authorities to produce pay policy statements which articulated an authority’s policies towards a range of issues relating to the pay of its workforce, particularly its senior staff and its lowest paid employees.

The Government also considered that decisions on pay policies should be taken by elected members, as those directly accountable to local communities. The Localism Act 2011 therefore required the Pay Policy Statement and any amendments to be considered by a meeting of full Council.

The Pay Policy Statement met the relevant requirements of the Localism Act 2011, which were to define the Council's policy on:

• the level and elements of remuneration for chief officers;
• the remuneration of the lowest paid employee, and the definition of ‘lowest paid employee’;
• the relationship between the remuneration of chief officers and other officers;
• specific aspects of chief officers’ remuneration, including at appointment, increases, termination and any other payments.

The Act defined remuneration to include pay, charges, fees, allowances, benefits in kind, increase in enhancements of pension entitlements, and termination payments.