Agenda item

Since the creation of BCP Council through the local government reorganisation of the four preceding councils in April 2019 we have been negotiating with the trade unions to introduce a new Pay and Reward package which aligns pay and conditions across all colleagues. 

This report sets out the progress made since Cabinet last considered the results of the November trade union ballot process and outlines next steps.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Cabinet wish to discuss the detail of the exempt Appendices at Appendix 6 it will be necessary to exclude the press and public and move into Confidential (Exempt) session]

The Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Resources and Governance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that since the creation of BCP Council through the local government reorganisation of the four preceding councils in April 2019 the council had been negotiating with the trade unions to introduce a new Pay and Reward package which aligns pay and conditions across all colleagues. 

Cabinet was informed that the report sets out the progress made since Cabinet last considered the results of the November trade union ballot process and outlines next steps.

The Portfolio Holder expressed thanks to officers and to the Overview and Scrutiny Board who at the previous evenings meeting had supported the recommendations contained within the report.

Further to this the Portfolio Holder acknowledged the issues surrounding the staff within Childrens Services and advised that discussions were ongoing to look at how the issues could be addressed, and that officers were actively engaged in finding solutions.

In addition to this matter the Portfolio Holder advised that a briefing had been requested for Cabinet by the Director as soon as the matter was resolved.

Cabinet members spoke in support of the report highlighting the importance of this report and of the amount of work which had gone into this and thanks were expressed to the Director and officers involved.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills thanked the Portfolio Holder for acknowledging the issues within Children’s Services in particular with regards to market supplements not having pay protection attached and welcomed further discussions around this issue going forwards.

In addition, it was requested that a briefing be held with the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee to bring awareness and understanding of the issue.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)       agree the additional costs associated with enhancing the proposed Pay and Reward offer;

(b)       agree the additional savings proposals outlined in Appendix 1 to ensure the cost implications of the proposal remain consistent with the February 2025 endorsed Medium Term Financial Plan;

(c)       agrees the details of the enhanced offer shown in Appendix 4 and 5 that will form the basis of the signed collective agreement with our recognised trade unions; and

(d)       approves the recommended implementation date of 1 December 2025 (in accordance with the timeline set out in appendix 7)

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Transformation, Resources and Governance

Reason

BCP Council has sought to reach a collective agreement with its recognised trade unions since February 2023.

In November 2024 Cabinet agreed to the commencement of collective consultation under s188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (‘TULRCA’), which is a statutory obligation where an employer is proposing to dismiss 20 or more employees. This process did not commence as further exploratory options have been undertaken to try and seek ways that agreement can be reached.

An enhanced offer has been proposed, and the trade unions have put this offer to their members which has now been accepted following ballots of both unions. Both unions have agreed to proceed to a collective agreement.  This enhanced offer has an additional financial cost to the Council that must be approved before the next steps can be undertaken.

Councillor Richard Herrett declared a pecuniary interest in this item and left the room for the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillor Kieron Wilson left the meeting at 12.50pm prior to the vote on this item being taken.