Decision Maker: Joint Cabinet and Employment & General Committee, Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: July 15, 2025

Purpose:

Content: *RESOLVED –   1.   That the changes which are proposed to the pay and conditions of the Council’s Trades workforce be approved by the Joint Cabinet and Employment and General Committee.   2.   That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, as Head of Paid Service, to sign the revised Local Collective Agreement on behalf of the employer, subject to the recommended approach to funding the transition costs being approved by Full Council.   3.   That the Standby and Call Out Policy which has been developed in support of the revised Local Collective Agreement and endorsed by the Trade Unions be approved by the Joint Cabinet and Employment and General Committee.   4.   That authority be delegated to the Service Director, Digital, HR and Customer Services to implement the new contractual arrangements for Housing Property Services Trades workforce employees from 1 September 2025, subject to the recommended approach to funding the transition costs being approved by Full Council.   5.   That it be endorsed and recommended to Full Council that the voluntary repayment of historical Housing Revenue Account debt is deferred for 12 months, to fund the one-off costs associated with the transition to the new pay arrangements.   REASONS FOR DECISIONS   1.   Implementation of the new pay arrangements will ensure that the pay and terms and conditions of employment of the Trades workforce remain fair, competitive and attractive to the local employment market, whilst also providing a single unified pay scheme (the Green Book) for all Council employees.   2.   The change also enables the Council to modernise working practices within Housing Property Services and move away from a volume-based pay model which no longer meets the needs of the service. The new approach simplifies a previously complex pay structure, improving pay transparency and reducing costs and administrative burdens.