The Employment Committee of Hertfordshire Council met on Friday 19 June 2026 and approved an adjustment to the salary range for the Executive Director of Growth and Environment. The committee also discussed the need for greater flexibility in senior pay decisions and the ongoing process of Local Government Reorganisation.

Executive Director of Growth and Environment Salary Adjustment

The committee agreed to amend the pay range for the Executive Director of Growth and Environment from pay points 1-3 to 3-5. This change will result in the current postholder moving to pay point 4, with an annual cost increase of £5,590, effective from 1 July 2026. This decision was made following a review of market data, which indicated that the current pay for this role was detached from competitive market positioning. The average local government benchmarking for similar roles was £165,000, with comparable authorities paying an average of £166,000, while the current maximum for the role was £154,740.

During the discussion, Councillor Richard Roberts raised concerns about the urgency of the meeting, suggesting that the matter could have been addressed in a previous or future meeting. Richard Taylor, Director of People, explained that the timing was crucial due to the current recruitment market and the risk of losing the incumbent postholder. The committee also discussed the broader issue of pay policy and whether current ranges allow for sufficient management flexibility, agreeing that this would be reviewed in future pay policy discussions. Councillor John Hale noted that similar pay reviews had been considered in January, questioning the delay.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Transition

The committee considered the recruitment process for a new Programme Director for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) transition. This role is deemed critical for overseeing the significant changes Hertfordshire's councils are undergoing. The Programme Director will provide strategic leadership and coordinate efforts across all 11 councils to ensure a safe and legal transition. The role will be based within Hertfordshire County Council's establishment and will be recruited to the L18 range (£121,449–£134,011), with estimated annual costs of £157,000–£174,000, to be jointly funded by the 11 councils.

Concerns were raised by a member about the suitability of an external appointee, suggesting that someone familiar with Hertfordshire's local government landscape would be better placed to lead the transition. Officers explained that the role would be open to both internal and external candidates, as no equivalent role currently exists across the councils, and that strong leadership and influencing skills were paramount. The importance of the Programme Director being perceived as independent by all 11 councils to foster trust was also highlighted. The committee approved the creation of the post and delegated authority to the Chief Executive for recruitment and appointment.

Workforce Programme - Savings Update

The committee also considered a report on the proposal to introduce a time-limited Mutually Accepted Resignation Scheme (MARS) offer to council employees as part of a workforce savings programme. This initiative is intended to help manage significant reductions in central government funding. The MARS scheme is a voluntary severance tool, not a dismissal or redundancy.

Concerns were raised by members regarding the potential impact on staff morale, the risk of increased pressure on remaining staff, and the scheme's efficacy in reducing headcount due to its voluntary nature. Officers clarified that MARS was a flexible and strategic way to manage financial challenges while avoiding compulsory redundancies and balancing service delivery. They also noted that the scheme was in addition to existing vacancy controls and attrition management. The committee endorsed the use of MARS as part of the savings programme and approved the Director of People to engage with recognised trade unions on the scheme. The decision was made with 5 votes in favour and 2 against.