Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Malcolm Allan) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Council’s approach to pay policy in accordance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED – That the Annual Pay Policy Statement 2023/24 and the Council’s Gender Pay Gap information be confirmed and published in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

This Pay Policy Statement (the ‘statement’) sets out the Council’s approach to pay policy in accordance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011.  The policy also has due regard for the associated statutory guidance including supplementary guidance issued in February 2013 and the Local Government Transparency code 2014. The Councils Gender Pay Gap information is also included in line with the publication requirements.

The purpose of the statement is to provide transparency with regard to the Council’s approach to setting the pay of its employees (excluding teaching staff working in local authority schools) by confirming the methods by which salaries of all employees are determined; the detail and level of remuneration of its most senior staff i.e. ‘chief officers’, as defined by the relevant legislation; the responsibility of the Appointments Committee to ensure the provisions set out in this statement relating to the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate Directors and Service Directors are applied consistently throughout the Council and recommend any amendments to the Council. The report also includes the Council Gender Pay Gap figures for 2021.

Once approved by the full Council, this policy statement will come into immediate effect and will be subject to review on a minimum of an annual basis, the policy for the next financial year being approved by 31 March each year.

The Cabinet is to recommended to endorse the Pay Policy Statement and to recommend that the Council Meeting:-

(1) Approves and adopts the Pay Policy Statement for the Council.

(2) Agrees to publish the Councils Gender Pay Gap information.

Officer contact: Andrea Steward on 0161 218 1416 or email: andrea.steward@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Malcolm Allan) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Council’s Annual Pay Policy Statement and Gender Pay Gap figures for 2022.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the Annual Pay Policy Statement and agree to publish the Council’s Gender Pay Gap information.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This Pay Policy Statement (the ‘statement’) sets out the Council’s approach to pay policy in accordance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011. The statement also has due regard for the associated statutory guidance including supplementary guidance issued in February 2013 and the Local Government Transparency code 2014. The statement also incorporates the Council’s Gender Pay Gap (GPG) information in order to fulfill the Council’s obligation to publish this on an annual basis under the GPG reporting requirements.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact Andrea Steward on 0161 218 1416 or email: andrea.steward@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the council’s approach to pay policy in accordance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011. The statement also incorporated the council’s Gender Pay Gap (GPG) information, to which the council was obliged to publish on an annual basis under the GPG reporting requirements.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Malcolm Allan, attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         It was reported that a large increase to the minimum wage was expected, and that cost of living pay rises could be issued.

·         It was also reported that the gender pay gap was minimal at the council and that there has been a significant and welcome shift to female officers in a number of senior posts.

·         Members welcomed the news that the council were attracting apprentices to Stockport Council.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.