Lib Dems call for Surrey County Council to reaffirm pay policy for senior staff

Cllr Hazel Watson, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition on Surrey County Council is calling on the council to reaffirm its pay policy for senior staff.

To the meeting of Surrey County Council's Full Council on 16 July, Hazel Watson will say:

"The Pay Policy approved by Full Council in March 2012 was legally binding on the Council as is the updated one approved in March 2013.

"Only Full Council can agree the Pay Policy, which has to happen annually and cannot be varied by the Leader, Cabinet or the People, Person and Development Committee.

"It is important that this Council reaffirms this policy and sends a clear message that Chief Officers pay and remuneration should be open and transparent about how taxpayers' money is used. This was clear in the Coalition Agreement and has been enforced by the Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data and the Localism Act.

"I do hope the whole Council can agree with this motion. I especially call on the Residents and Independents Group to give its support, as on the one occasion this policy has been called into question in the People, Person and Development Committee the Residents and Independents member voted with the Conservatives to not stick to the policies enshrined in the 2012/13 Pay Policy in force at the time.

"Members, this motion is not about any individual officer. It is about highlighting the importance of ensuring openness and transparency and abiding by the legislation and Full Council needs to send a clear message that this is the case."

" This is about fairness. Surrey residents who foot the bill for the County Council and who are struggling to make ends meet as their salaries have not increased, do not expect to see large salary increases or bonuses to be paid to the Council's senior officers. Also, it is only fair that the Council's senior officers are treated in the same way as other council staff in relation to pay and that they are not treated more favourably.

"We need to be reassured that the Council will follow to the letter its own pay policies."

Motion to Full Council 16 July 2013

Proposed by Hazel Watson, Seconded by Fiona White

In the Coalition Agreement, the Government made a commitment to strengthen councillors' powers to vote on large salary packages for council officers. In addition, the Government has taken necessary steps to increase transparency about how taxpayers' money is used, including in the pay and reward of public sector staff.

The Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency published on 29 September 2011 enshrines the principles of transparency in rewarding senior staff. Sections 38 - 43 of the Localism Act 2011 place a legal obligation on Local Authorities to publish an annual Pay Policy Statement with specific requirements regarding Chief Officers pay and other benefits.

The Surrey County Council Pay Policy Statement 2013 - 14 presented to this Council in March 2013 by the Leader states:

Chief Officers' and Chief Executive's Remuneration

Chief officers are on all-inclusive single status Surrey Pay contracts i.e. there are no variable pay salaries or bonuses paid. The council has not provided any grade related benefits in kind, such as Annual Leave, Private Medical Insurance or Lease Cars since 2007. Chief Officers receive the same allowances as other members of staff and access to the same voluntary benefits scheme, while any expenditure on business travel is reimbursed at the same rate for all grades.

The Chief Executive is on a contract which is like Chief Officers ie he is on an all-inclusive single status Surrey Pay contract and there is no variable pay or bonuses made. He is however paid a specific additional allowance for duties carried out in support of the Lord Lieutenant of the County.

This Council reaffirms this policy without any exceptions.

Wording of the relevant section of the previous 2012/13 Pay Policy as agreed in March 2012

Chief Officers' Remuneration

Chief Officers are on all-inclusive single status Surrey Pay contracts; there are no variable pay

salaries or bonuses paid. The council has not provided any grade related benefits in kind, such as Annual Leave, Private Medical Insurance or Lease Cars since 2007. Chief Officers receive the same allowances as other members of staff and access to the same voluntary benefits scheme, while any expenditure on business travel is reimbursed at the same rate for all grades.

Note : The only exception is the Chief Executive who is paid a specific additional allowance for duties carried out in support of the Lord Lieutenant of the County.

Link to the relevant section of the Localism Act 2011 (Chapter 8) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/20/part/1/chapter/8/enacted