Agenda

RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Purpose of the report.

The council is required by section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011 (openness and accountability in local pay) to prepare a Pay Policy Statement. The Local Government Transparency Code 2014 further clarifies and describes the information and data local authorities are required to publish to increase democratic accountability.

A Pay Policy Statement must articulate the council's policies towards a range of issues relating to the pay of its workforce, particularly its senior staff, Chief Officers and its lowest paid employees.

A Pay Policy Statement must be prepared for each financial year. It should be approved by Full Council no later than 31 March of each year, prior to the financial year to which it relates and be published on the council's website.

RECOMMENDED that the Employment Committee approve the Pay Policy Statement attached as Appendix 1, to go forward for approval by the Full Council prior to 31 March 2025.

Purpose

To present the outcomes of the Gender Pay Gap 2024/25, ensuring the Council can fulfil its statutory obligations in respect of the Gender Pay Gap Information Regulations, and note the recommended action plan to build on the council's inclusive working practices, to continue to reduce the gap.

At Employment Committee on 4th December 2018, Members requested that additional data on the age breakdown be included in the Gender Pay Gap Report. The Gender Pay Gap report now includes a breakdown of the workforce profile by age, gender and whether full time or part time. Appendix 1 includes this additional information, as well as the statutory data that the Council is required to publish in accordance with the Gender Pay Gap Information Regulations.

RECOMMENDED that the Employment Committee:

1.    Note the key findings of the Gender Pay Gap Report 2024/25 (Appendix 1).

2.    Note the action plan and recommendations as set out as item 8 in the Gender Pay Gap Report 2024/25 (Appendix 1).

The report will follow.

The report will follow.

Rochelle Williams, Assistant Director of Human Resources will provide a verbal update.