To receive any apologies for absence

An Apology for Absence was received from Councillor Brimacombe

To receive any declarations of interest

None received

To consider the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2017.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Part I minutes from the meeting held on 16 October 2017 be approved.

To consider the above report

Members welcomed Ruth Smith (UNISON) and Keith Roberts (GMB) to the meeting to present the Trade Union pay claim for 2018/19.

Ruth Smith explained that a joint claim had been submitted from both unions, setting out the economic situation and justification for the level of claim. As in previous years, the unions had engaged with their members who were RBWM employees, to seek their views before submitting the claim. Representatives had handed out copies of the survey to employees at various entrances to council buildings. The claim was for an across the board increase of 5% or a flat rate of £500, whichever was the greater. The council had a Pay Reward scheme but whenever the unions spoke to their members, they expressed a preference for an across the board pay rise to ensure all benefitted. The unions had therefore been pleased that a 0.8% increase had been agreed last year as well as Pay Reward.

The survey given to union members included a free text box. Panel Members noted a number of comments made by respondents, relating to pay not keeping up with inflation, the cost of living, the lack of increases in recent years, the appraisal system, reorganisations, morale and the loss of skilled staff. The unions were aware that the workforce was much smaller than in previous years.

Keith Roberts commented that it was important for the workforce to see something more substantial in their pay packet this time around; staff were looking for a commitment from the council that the workforce was valued.  A number of staff had been transferred to outside providers. This had led to concerns that they were being released to an employer that did not offer the same protections. Under the borough recognition agreement the trade unions had collective bargaining rights. The new organisations had given reassurances but had not spoken to the unions.  It was important to ensure the staff remaining in the core council felt valued and wanted to remain.  Mr Roberts highlighted that it was about cash in the pocket. He understood that the council’s hands were tied to some extent by government policy. The interest rate increase had increased the cost of mortgages. If the council could not meet the 5% pay claim, he requested that it was not as low as 1%.

The Chairman thanked the union representatives for presenting their claim and invited Panel Members to ask questions. She asked if the survey had asked about the Pay reward element of the scheme. Mr Roberts commented that the 0.8% last year had landed with a thump because it was a small amount. 1% of not a lot was not much, therefore the increase needed to be across the board. Incentives in a Pay Reward scheme needed to be achievable and not based on a manager’s opinion.

Ms Smith commented that views were split on what the maximum should be if the scheme included a Pay Reward element. Some people felt they worked hard but could not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

To consider passing the following resolution:-

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 6-7 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act"

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 6-8 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act

To consider the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2017.

To consider the above report

To consider the above report