Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

Further to Minute No. 4 of the meeting of the Pay and Grading Committee held on 28 November 2022, the Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services which sought approval of three elements in respect of payments to employees of the Council. Two of these elements are applicable to all Council employees and relate to staff travel, whilst one is applicable only to staff employed within Children’s Social Care and relates to retention payments.

Decision Made: That

(1)      approval be given to the removal of the 50% reduction in the Out of Borough car mileage rate;

(2)      approval be given to the introduction of Essential Car Mileage which attracts a lump sum payment and to it only being applied to posts that meet the criteria as set out in the report.

(3)      approval be given to the increase in the annual retention payment for social workers within the Children’s Social Care Locality Teams from £2,000 to £5,000 in accordance with the criteria detailed within the report; and

(4)      for any services impacted by the changes contained within the report, the costs must be fully funded and vired from existing budgets in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules before any offer or change is proposed to employees.

Reasons for the Decision:

The measures will support the recruitment and retention of staff within the Council and also reflect the additional cost of running a vehicle for use on council business at this time.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

No alternative options have been considered

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services seeking approval of three elements in respect of payments to employees of the Council.

Two of the elements were applicable to all Council employees and related to staff travel, whilst one was applicable only to staff employed within Children’s Social Care, locality teams and related to retention payments.

Following consideration by Pay and Grading Committee, Cabinet would be requested to approve changes as set out in the report.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet be recommended to approve the following:

(1)    The removal of the 50% reduction in the Out of Borough car mileage rate;

(2)    The introduction of Essential Car Mileage which attracts a lump sum payment and shall be applied only to posts that meet the criteria as set out in the report;

(3)    The increase in the annual retention payment for social workers within the Children’s Social Care locality teams from £2,000 to £5,000 in accordance with the criteria detailed within the report; and

(4)    For any services impacted by the changes contained within this report, the costs must be fully funded and vired from existing budgets in accordance with the council’s financial procedure rules before any offer or change is proposed to employees.