Issue - meetings

The Strategic Director: Resources advised that the Personnel Committee had approved the recommendations in the Report at its meeting held 22 November 2018.  Cabinet was required to consider approval of the increased budget provision necessary to implement the changes to pay scales etc.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the Report.

RESOLVED:

That the financial implications of the changes to pay scales as set out in the report and as endorsed by the Personnel Committee on 22 November 2018 be approved and that the increased budget revision (estimated £227,000) be recommended to Council.

The Strategic Director: Resources introduced the Report.  Councillor Godfrey added that the proposals were intended to have a positive effect on staff retention and the attractiveness of Winchester as a place to work.  The addition to annual leave was a significant benefit and the changes to pay an acknowledgement that staff were valued.

Members asked questions of the information presented and the responses given are summarised below:

(i)            Christmas leave and office closure would be introduced this year.

(ii)          Additional leave could be bought after six months service when the probationary period had expired.  The purchase of annual leave would usually be discussed with managers at appraisal time so that office cover could be arranged, but the scheme could be flexible to respond to unforeseen circumstances.

(iii)         There were currently no core working hours, but Heads of Teams ensure that teams are adequately staffed in normal opening hours (8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 4:30pm on Fridays).

(iv)         There was a clear gap for employees on Scale 4 from the lower pay scales (1 – 3), which would be positive in that it retained clear breaks between grades and all scales would see an uplift of 2% at least.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Head of Human Resources (Interim) be given delegated authority to:

a. implement the revisions to annual leave set out in this Report with effect from 01 April 2019;

b. implement the revisions to the Council’s Flexible Working (“Flexi-Time”) arrangements as set out in this Report;

c. amend the Council’s Policies accordingly.

2. That the commitment to ensure the Council sets its salaries at market median is supported.

3. That the salary scales set out in Appendix C which meet the requirements of the ‘national assimilation requirement be approved and recommended to Cabinet for the financial implications.

To Cabinet:

4. To approve the financial implications of the Personnel Committee’s proposals for the Council’s pay scales of an estimated £227k, as set out in Appendix C, and recommend the increased budget provision to Council.

The meeting commenced at 6.30pm and concluded at 7:30pm.

Chairman