Jonathan Werran 24 September 2012

Councils 'leading the way' in fair pay

Local authorities are in the vanguard for narrowing the gap between the highest and lowest paid staff, equalities campaign group One Society has reported.

Entitled ‘Leading the way on fair pay’ the assessment - based on the pay policy statements of 174 upper-tier authorities in England and Wales - found 20% of authorities have pledged to pay staff the ‘living wage’ and a further 8% are considering doing so.

Additionally, some 7% of authorities currently require their contractors to pay staff the independently set and annually updated rate, worth £7.20 an hour across the UK and £8.30 in London.

At the opposite end of the pay scales, more than one-in-eight major councils have spelled out how they plan to reduce chief executive salaries in their pay policy statements. Measures taken to tackle council high-earners include voluntary reductions in wages, hiring new chiefs on lower pay-scales and - in the manner of Wiltshire and Kent - removing the chief executive role completely.

Director of One Society, Duncan Exley, said the government must act to ensure that public sector pay policy reporting is more comprehensive and comparable if their objectives of accountability and fairness are to be achieved.’

‘Local authorities are large employers and procurers of services, consequently their pay policies will have a significant effect on the wellbeing of local people and the local economy.’ A spokesman for the Local Government Association said the report ‘confirms that councils are tackling unprecedented financial challenges in a way which is fair to local taxpayers and the workforce’.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner