Decision details

Equal Pay Audit was considered as a separate item originally, but has been included in the overall Job Evaluation Project (formerly Single Status Agreement) issue.

Before passing the resolution to exclude the press and public, the Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder clarified that agreement had not yet been reached with the unions.

Those remaining in the meeting room for this item were the Cabinet, Councillors Harford, Hockney, Murfitt, Shelton and Bridget Smith; Senior Management Team, the Human Resources Manager, the Job Analyst, the Legal and Democratic Services Manager and the Democratic Services Team Leader.

The Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder presented the update report on the Job Evaluation project / Single Status Agreement, and emphasised that the Council had not begun the project as a savings exercise but because the existing job evaluation scheme was no longer compliant with current equalities legislation.  Members considered the options and the issues to be raised during negotiations with the trade unions.

Cabinet

(a)               NOTED the revised figures and analysis within the report, from those of the 11 November 2010 report;

(b)               INDICATED its intention to adopt the National Joint Council (NJC) Job Evaluation scheme and new pay and grading structure at no additional cost after five years; and

(c)               INSTRUCTED the Executive Director (Corporate Services), that after formal negotiation with the trade unions, to draw up a draft single status agreement to present to full Council in due course.