Purpose

To provide an informal
presentation of the programme/project outline and take essential
decisions whilst also to note the MTFP provision of £8m made
in 26/27 revenue budget for potential increases in
payroll.

Content

Following consideration of the officer report,
appendices and discussion, the Executive agreed:
 

1.   
That an external partner be procured through a
tender process to work with the Council on developing and
implementing a Pay and Grading framework, including the development
of a final business case, for a new job evaluation scheme and new
pay and grading structure for implementation in 2026/27.

2.   
To delegate authority to the Executive Director of
Resources, Strategy and Transformation in consultation with the
Chief Executive and Lead Member for Transformation, HR and
Localities to award the contract to an external partner following
the procurement process.

3.   
To delegate authority to the Chief Executive and the
Service Director for HR and OD in consultation with the Leader of
the Council and Lead Member for Transformation, HR, and Localities
to undertake initial discussions in relation to collective
bargaining with recognised trade unions.

4.   
To approve the allocation of £3m of
Transformation funding from the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts
and/or Capitalisation Direction within the Capital Programme to
enable the procurement of external specialist Pay and Reward
consultancy support for delivering the pay and grading review, on
the basis that a cost effective and affordable pay and grading
structure is developed and modelled, supported by a detailed
implementation plan, for future consideration by Executive and
Scrutiny.

5.   
To support the approach that it is intended to implement a
modernised pay and grading structure that negates the need for an
excessive number of recruitment and retention allowances and
enables Somerset Council to retain and attract talent in a
competitive job market.