Fairer Pay, No Way!

12.00.00am GMT Mon 23rd Feb 2009

The Liberal Democrat Group at the County Council's budget-setting meeting today proposed a means of giving all staff a flat rate pay increase. They were not supported by the Conservative Executive so that the result will be the lower paid staff will bear the brunt of cost of living increases.

Cllr Geoff Rowe proposed and was seconded by Cllr. Dan Daley that the total amount of money proposed in the budget for pay increases of £3.72 million should be divided amongst all the staff by an equal payment of £173 (net). In percentage terms this would mean that the lower grades would benefit more with help in coping with higher living costs. This was felt to be the most equitable way of dealing with 1% increase which was all the Conservatives were willing to offer.

The proposal did not succeed; the result will be that the lower grades will suffer more when higher National Insurance Rates come into force later this year.

Geoff said "This 1% offer is derisory which rewards the rich and discounts the valuable contribution made by the lower paid members of KCC staff, who deliver the day to day services regarded as excellent by the Audit Commission".

He continued "The lowest two grades of KCC staff are paid less than the national pay spine for local government, in a part of the country where the costs of living is amongst the highest".