Following an employee survey, roadshow events and ongoing discussions with Trade Unions about our workforce package, Council have agreed that a formal offer on a proposed package can be issued to Trade Unions.

Our aim is to have a modern and attractive package for employees. The proposed workforce package includes changes to the pay structure and terms and conditions of employment for a forward-thinking Council of the Future. This is a significant investment in our workforce and represents and recognises the changing ways in which we work.

Changes to the pay structure

In line with the 2018/20 SJC pay award, the new proposed pay structure consolidates the Living Wage. The structure ensures a salary differential for grades A - C (currently all paid at the same Living Wage rate) and also provides incremental progression within grades B and C.

The proposed pay structure comes at a cost of c£1.9m over 5 years, but helps to improve our workforce package, particularly for the lowest paid.

Changes to terms and conditions

Consideration has been given to increased mobile and flexible working arrangements and digital developments and the difference they have made to working practices. The proposed changes include:

• Removal of some allowances: excess travel, relocation expenses, subsistence, overnight and telephone allowances and long service payments

• Office closure between Christmas and New Year (excluding some frontline services) which would be covered by annual leave

• We will also survey employees to agree the dates of public holidays for 2023 onwards

These changes offer savings of c£70k.

Assimilation to the new pay structure

Assimilation is how an employee's salary is matched from the old pay structure to the new pay structure. This will depend on how an individual's current substantive salary (current spinal column point at the point of implementation) relates to the pay range in the new pay structure. Green circled employees are those whose pay is below the minimum on the new grade.

Green circles will be assimilated to first spinal column point on the grade with effect from 01 April 2021. All other employees will be matched over to their existing spinal column point on the new pay structure.

Green circles who are assimilated to the first spinal column point in April 2021, will receive one increment (unless they are at the top of the grade) in October 2021. Thereafter normal incremental progression will continue.

There will be no detriment for any employee on assimilation.

So what happens next?

A formal offer has now been issued to Trade Unions. Trade Unions have confirmed that the consolidation of the living wage was agreed as part of a previous pay settlement and as such do not believe that a ballot is required on the pay structure.

As a result the Council will put in place arrangements to implement the new pay structure, effective from 01 April 2021. New pay structures can be found on the Pay and benefits page.

In terms of the changes to terms and conditions, Trade Unions will ballot their members on these changes. Trade Unions have now confirmed that If the ballot supports the changes, arrangements will be made for a collective agreement on the terms and conditions to be signed. Changes to the terms and conditions will be effective from the month after the signing of a collective agreement.