Issue - meetings

To submit the report of the Chair of the Chief Officer Appointments Committee.

To adopt the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27.

The report was presented, stating that there was a statutory duty on all Councils to have a pay policy adopted annually by their Full Council. When adopting the pay policy for 2012/13, the Full Council decided to ask the Chief Officers Appointment Committee to conduct an annual review of the future sustainability of the pay policy and to submit recommendations to a meeting of the full Council in March each year. The Appointments Committee had considered the content of the draft pay policy at its meeting in February.  

It was highlighted that there were two parts to consider. It was explained that annual salary increases for chief officers were set by the National Joint Council for Chief Officers. It was explained that the employers and unions had reached an agreement back in July for 2025/26, which was a 3.2% increase on the annual pay of chief officers. It was expressed that the process was about to begin for 2026/27.

The second element was the salaries of staff below chief officer level, and it was explained that these were also set by the Joint Council. It was highlighted that the employers and unions had agreed on a 3.2% increase for all staff and to also eliminate level 2 on the pay structure. It was noted that it was early days on the negotiations for 2026/27.

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations.

It was pointed out that in recent years the reports had been approved by the Monitoring and Finance Officer but this year it was being approved by their deputies. It was added that this was obviously more sensible as they were discussing salaries, but the member asked why the change in procedure. They responded by noting that they had not changed things deliberately and that it was customary for deputies to approve the report but the Chief Executive would look into this.

RESOLVED

To adopt the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27.