2 NJC PAY AWARD 2019/20 - The Director: Business Development submitted a report seeking approval for a revised National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services pay spine for the council including non-teaching support staff within maintained schools.
The NJC agreed a two year pay deal covering the period 2018 to 2020. The year one element for 2018/2019 was implemented with effect from 1 April 2018. For year two the NJC proposed a new pay spine be introduced from 1 April 2019.
The NJC developed a new pay spine as the previous spine could not absorb the continuing pressure of the National Living Wage (NLW). The NJC had worked to ensure that the new pay spine would be able to withstand annual changes to the NLW rate without the need for regular and fundamental reviews of pay structures at a local level.
Significant work had been undertaken to fully understand the implications of the new pay spine at a local level particularly in light of the council based staff currently having locally negotiated rates as a result of the 2016 1% pay freeze. A range of options had been explored. Detailed costing exercises and thorough analysis of broader issues including contractual and legal considerations had been completed. A significant number of options had been thoroughly evaluated before being discounted.
The result of this piece of work was that one preferred option had been arrived at that met the principles of the national pay award and remained within the inflationary provisions set out in the budget approved by Full Council on 28 February 2019.
The report set out details of the preferred option.
Resolved - (a) That the proposed pay spine for 2019/20 for staff across the council and maintained schools employed on NJC terms and conditions be approved, and (b) that the proposed pay increase for council staff on JNC terms and conditions also be approved.