Councils meet to discuss employees’ pay

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/