Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive’s report on the Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 was considered by Council.  Councillors’ questions on the report were responded to by the Chief Executive.

Prior to tabling a recommendation, Councillor Atkinson advised the meeting that she would accept a friendly amendment that in future the Pay Policy Statement would be considered by the Personnel Committee, prior to being discussed at Council.  Councillor Atkinson further informed the meeting that she intended that the Pay Policy Statement would be reviewed by the Personnel Committee in April.  

Councillor Atkinson, proposed, seconded by Councillor Kershaw:

“That the Pay Policy Statement for 2018/19 appended to the report, be approved for publication.”

By way of an amendment, Councillor Goodrich proposed that the current policy be renewed for twelve months and Councillor Atkinson requested an adjournment to seek clarification as to whether this was possible.

The meeting adjourned at 9.25pm and reconvened at 9.35pm

Councillor Atkinson advised the meeting that for legal reasons the Pay Policy Statement had to be agreed that night and that in view of the changes it contained it was not possible for the current policy to be rolled over for a further year.

By way of an amendment, which was accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer of the original proposition, Councillor Goodrich proposed:

“That all future Pay Policy Statements be considered by the Personnel Committee, prior to being tabled at Council and that the Pay Policy Statement for 2018/19 be brought back to Council within a couple of months after having been reviewed by the Personnel Committee.”

By way of an amendment Councillor Caroline Jackson proposed that the policy be agreed without section 6.15, paragraph 2, section 10.4 and section 12.1.

The Mayor advised the meeting that legal advice would need to be sought.  The Interim Head of Legal & Democratic Services advised that whilst the first two sections could be removed, he would recommend that section 12.1 remain.

Councillor Atkinson advised that she would not accept this as a friendly amendment.

At this point Councillor Atkinson proposed the following revised recommendations:

“(1)      That the Pay Policy Statement for 2018-19 be approved.

(2)          That all future Pay Policy Statements be considered by the Personnel Committee, prior to being forwarded to Council.

(3)          That the Pay Policy Statement 2018-19 be considered by Council by July 2018 when any further amendments can be considered post Personnel Committee meeting.”

By way of a further amendment Councillor Goodrich proposed, seconded by Councillor Gardiner:

 “That a time limit of 12 months be put on section 12.1.”

Councillor Atkinson advised that she would not accept this as a friendly amendment but confirmed that the Personnel Committee would review all of the Pay Policy Statement.

At this point Councillor Caroline Jackson withdrew her amendment.

Council then voted on Councillor Goodrich’s amendment, which had been seconded by Councillor Gardiner.

On being put to the vote 19 voted in favour of the amendment, 27 against and 2 abstained whereupon the Mayor declared the amendment lost.

Members then voted on the original proposition, as revised, which on being put to the vote was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)          That the Pay Policy Statement for 2018-19 be approved.

(2)          That all future Pay Policy Statements be considered by the Personnel Committee, prior to being forwarded to Council.

(3)          That the Pay Policy Statement 2018-19 be considered by Council by July 2018 when any further amendments can be considered post Personnel Committee meeting.