The Employment in Hampshire County Council Committee discussed updates on pay and legislation, changes to the Chief Officers Group, and amendments to the Sickness Absence Policy. Key decisions included the implementation of the national pay award for Local Government employees and the agreement to apply the national pay award to staff on Grades H and above, effective from 1 April 2024.

Pay and Legislative Update

The Committee reviewed a report from the Director of People and Organisation, which provided an update on pay and legislative matters. The report highlighted that equal pay issues had been consistently addressed over the years and would continue to be part of ongoing HR practices. The elements of the 2024 pay claim, excluding the percentage award, would not apply to Hampshire County Council due to the EHCC agreement defining working hours and annual leave entitlement.

The Committee resolved to note several key points:

• The 2023 national pay award for Local Government employees on Grades A-G EHCC terms and conditions was implemented in December 2023.
• The pay award for Grades H+ was also implemented in December 2023, following the EHCC decision in March 2023.
• The Trade Union side’s pay claim for April 2024.
• The proposal for the Cabinet to sign the Local Declaration on Tobacco Control, demonstrating the Council's commitment to tobacco control.
• The agreement to apply the national pay award to staff on Grades H and above, effective from 1 April 2024, provided the national pay award does not exceed 3% of the pay budget.
• The pay award for 2023 for Teachers was applied in December payroll, and the current position on the national Teachers pay award for September 2024.
• The national pay award for Soulbury staff covering 2022 and 2023 was implemented in February 2024 payroll.
• New employment-related regulations coming into force in April 2024, requiring action from Officers.

For more details, refer to the EHCC Pay Legislation and Appointments Update - June 2024.

Chief Officers Update

The Committee considered a report on changes and upcoming changes to the Chief Officers Group. It was noted that having designated post holders for the Council’s statutory responsibilities is common practice nationally. The Committee resolved to note the contents of the report and the changes described in the exempt appendix.

For further information, see the Annual Workforce Report 2023 - 2024.

Amendment to Sickness Absence Policy

An exempt report from the Chief Executive regarding an amendment to the County Council’s Sickness Absence Policy was considered. The Committee agreed to the recommendations set out within the report.

For additional context, refer to the Public reports pack.