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Local government employers have held a series of meetings to discuss staff pay and rewards in the run up to their submission to the new Local Government Pay Commission, which was set up under the terms of the recent pay deal.

The first meetings held in London last month were attended by elected members and chief officers from local authorities from London and the south east of England.

Charles Nolda, executive director of the Employers' Organisation for Local Government said: "Employers need to put the most persuasive possible case to the Commission based on local authorities' needs and wishes. That is why we are consulting now in the run up to the Commission's deadline of the end of April for written submissions."

Councillor Ann John, chairperson of the employers' side of the Greater London Provincial Council said: "London boroughs are already using the flexibility available to them, to place jobs at a higher grade to reflect the market pressures in the capital. They now wish to see this flexibility extended to other aspects of pay and conditions, so employment practices can be modernised to meet the changing needs of both workers and local government services."

The employers key points submitted to the Pay Commission are:

Flexible approach to wages stressing the overall rewards package.

Development of skills and productivity of staff in front line jobs to allow staff to progress into better-paid jobs. Employers argue that this is a far more cost effective way of dealing with low pay in local government than unions’ desire for across the board wage increases.

Introduction of trainee rates to bring more young people into the local government workforce.

Resist the introduction of national grades and abolish part 3 of the Green Book to increase flexibility.

Encourage local structures and solutions.

The employers support better pay for specialist staff, such as social workers and middle managers if resources are available.

The employers would like to keep national bargaining as it delivers agreements but make it more flexible and with more broader categories of pay rates.

More on the Pay Commission at www.lgpay.org.uk/