Todmorden News

Calderdale Council Approves Fair and Equal Pay Scheme

Council staff are set to benefit after members of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet and Full Council agreed to move forward with plans to re-grade thousands of jobs. At the reconvened meeting of Full Council last night, it was agreed that many staff in the lowest paid jobs would see their earnings increase, in a move designed to ensure people are paid fairly for the work that they do.

All Councils have to undertake a ‘job evaluation’ exercise as part of the National Terms and Conditions of Service for Local Authority staff. It is to ensure that people are paid fairly for the work they are doing regardless of gender, race or disability and formed part of national pay negotiations in 2004.

Working alongside the Trades Unions, the Council has evaluated nearly 7000 jobs, with staff completing detailed questionnaires about their work, and having in-depth interviews with a specially trained team. This was to identify any inequalities in pay on the Council’s existing pay structure.

Full Council approved implementing the scheme in 3 phases:

• Phase 1 will deal with staff that are currently graded at Scale 1-3
• Phase 2 will deal with a review of the senior management structure
• Phase 3 will result in the Council considering its position with regard to the rest of posts once the new senior management structure is in place

As part of phase 1 a substantial number of staff will see their grades increase, and along with it, their salaries. This includes many staff who work in front line services and who are among the lowest paid in the Council.

Councillor Stephen Baines, Leader of Calderdale Council, said:

“This exercise has been challenging for all councils. We have been determined to produce a pay scheme which ensures our staff are paid fairly for the work they do, and that recognises the vital role our employees play in making a difference for the people of Calderdale.”

Phase 2 of the scheme is underway and the most senior posts at the Council are currently under review. Informal consultation on a new senior management structure began on 6 February, and a report is being considered by the Council’s Cabinet on 16 March.