Notice of Motion attached.

At the meeting of Council held on 14th December 2017, Members received a notice of motion calling on the Council to make representations to the Government in support of the NJC pay claim for 2018.

This had been proposed by Councillor Nevin and seconded by Councillor Borton.

Resolved:-

1.  That it be noted that since the notice of motion was submitted, the national employers have made a final pay offer in response to the Trade Union’s side pay claim which equates to 2% for all employees at a particular level on the pay spine and between 9.1% and 3.7% to those lower down the pay scale.  A similar pay offer for 2019/20 has also been made and will involve a realignment of the pay spine in order to ensure “headroom” from the statutory minimum national living wage rate.

2.  That it also be noted that work is underway to calculate the financial impact of the proposed pay award on this Council which will be considered as part of the budget setting process.

3.  That the Council will continue to work with the LGA and the regional employers on the national review of the NJC pay spine and the impact on the national living wage.

Reason for Decision

To respond to the notice of motion.

Other Options

None

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor:- Moring

At the meeting of Council held on 14th December 2017, Members received a notice of motion calling on the Council to make representations to the Government in support of the NJC pay claim for 2018.

This had been proposed by Councillor Nevin and seconded by Councillor Borton.

Resolved:-

1.  That it be noted that since the notice of motion was submitted, the national employers have made a final pay offer in response to the Trade Union’s side pay claim which equates to 2% for all employees at a particular level on the pay spine and between 9.1% and 3.7% to those lower down the pay scale.  A similar pay offer for 2019/20 has also been made and will involve a realignment of the pay spine in order to ensure “headroom” from the statutory minimum national living wage rate.

2.  That it also be noted that work is underway to calculate the financial impact of the proposed pay award on this Council which will be considered as part of the budget setting process.

3.  That the Council will continue to work with the LGA and the regional employers on the national review of the NJC pay spine and the impact on the national living wage.

Reason for Decision

To respond to the notice of motion.

Other Options

None

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor:- Moring

Notice of Motion attached.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.4, the following notice of motion be referred to Cabinet:

Scrap the Cap

Southend Borough Council notes that:

·                For most workers in local government and schools, pay and other terms and conditions are determined by the National Joint Council (NJC) for local government services

·                On average, across the country, NJC basic pay has fallen by 21% in real terms since 2010

·                NJC workers had a three-year pay freeze from 2010-2012 and have received only 1% pay increase annually since then

·                NJC pay is the lowest in the public sector

·                Differentials in pay grades are being squeezed and distorted by bottom loaded NJC pay settlements needed to reflect the increased Statutory National Living Wage

·                The likelihood of rising inflation following the vote to leave the European Union will worsen the current public sector pay inequality.

This Council therefore supports the NJC pay claim for 2018, submitted by Unite, UNISON and the GMB on behalf of council and school workers and calls for the immediate end of public sector pay restraint. NJC pay cannot be allowed to fall further behind other parts of the public sector.

This Council also welcomes the joint review of the NJC pay spine to remedy the turbulence caused by bottom-loaded pay settlements.  Council further notes the drastic ongoing cuts to local government funding and calls on the Government to provide all additional resources to ensure local authorities can fund a decent pay rise for NJC employees and the pay spine review.

This Council resolves to:

·                Write to the LGA asking it to make urgent representations to Government to fund the NJC claim and the pay spine review;

·                Write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor supporting the NJC pay claim and seeking the additional resources needed to fund a decent pay rise and the pay spine review;

·                Write to local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim

·                and the pay spine review.

Proposed Cllr Cheryl Nevin

Seconded Cllr Margaret Borton