Issue - meetings

This report provides a summary of the forecast outturn position for the financial year 2021-22 as at 30 September 2021.

There was discussion about the interim pay award, which was proposed in response to the nationally agreed scheme that Spelthorne Borough Council had previously opted out of.  The Council was not obliged to follow the national scheme, although it was recommended that consideration be given to the national and regional context on staff remuneration.

The committee discussed whether it should taper any pay rise to benefit staff on lower pay scales the most.  It was suggested that the recruitment and retention of staff in professional roles that supported statutory functions was proving to be challenging.  Inflation was also a consideration for all staff.

The Committee:

·         Noted the current level of underspend on revenue expenditure against its Revenue Budget provision as at 30 September 2021.

·         Recommended to Council that it approve a supplementary estimate of £200k to the Spelthorne Borough Council pay award for 2021/22, subject to an enhanced pay increase being proposed for the lowest paid staff (i.e. weighted towards the lowest paid staff).