Agenda item

Gender Pay Report

To receive and consider the report of the Head of Workforce and OD.

Minutes:

The Committee received and considered the report of the Head of Workforce and OD.

 

The gender pay gap had reduced over the past year. There was a requirement for the Council to publish this information on its website by the end of March 2019. An action plan would also be produced on how to improve this position further. The Committee commented that there was no benchmarking data in relation to the gender pay gap. It was also noted that the pay gap occurred due to gender stereotyping of roles i.e. certain roles such as part time or some lower paid roles were traditionally more likely to be occupied by women. Some other Councils had improved their gender pay gaps partly through the externalisation of services, which Powys had not done to the same degree.

 

It was noted that Powys’ gender pay gap was better than some other Councils in Wales. As most of the lower paid grades employed women, this was the biggest issue for Powys in reducing the gender pay gap. The Council’s recent decision to incorporate the Living Wage Foundation rates would improve the situation.

 

The Committee suggested that as part of preparing the action plan an analysis of the lower pay grades be undertaken and to the types of jobs, whether they were part time of full time etc. so that there was a clearer picture of the situation. The Committee asked for the action plan and research to be circulated to the Committee.

 

Question – Moving forward what will happen to the differentiation between men and women

Response – The recent investment in lower pay grades will still mean that on average women’s pay will increase disproportionately faster than men’s, which will continue to close the gender pay gap.

 

Question – Are there any other factors as to why we have a pay gap

Response – Men are generally in higher graded jobs by comparison to women

 

Question – Is there any data to show that we are improving as the figures in the report are 12 months out of date

Response – An update could be undertaken on a quarterly basis

 

A Member commented that the issue here was not about pay equality, but is about getting more women into higher paid salaries.

 

Question – Is there an issue about the employment process where the Council employs the best person for the job.

Response – the Council appoints the best candidates on merit regardless of sex and the existence of the gender pay gap does not allow employers to discriminate. However, there are other ways to make higher paid jobs more friendly to women such as the provision of childcare, providing greater flexibility and by advertising roles using gender neutral language. As employers are getting more creative in finding new ways to encourage women to apply for better paid jobs this will improve the gender pay gap over time.

 

It was suggested that what the council needed to do was to ensure that there were no unsighted barriers for people seeking employment with the Council.

 

Question – Has any work ben undertaken to see what other Councils are doing to reduce their gender pay gap which Powys could use.

Response – It would be helpful to learn from other Councils and we could ask the WLGA for information as to what other council were doing so that Powys could compare approaches and assess what might work for Powys.

 

Question – When will the Committee be able to see the action plan and will this include family friendly measures

Response – The action plan should be prepared in the next month or so.

 

Outcomes:

 

Recommended to the Cabinet:

1.         That future gender pay reports should contain benchmarking information as to how Powys compares with other Councils in Wales.

2.         That further research be undertaken of the lower pay grades to better understand the issues in Powys.

3.         That the data should be updated quarterly to improve the ability to monitor progress.

4.         That an action plan be prepared in response to the current findings

5.         That the Council reviews what other measures are being taken by other Councils in Wales to address this issue to see if any such measures could be adopted in Powys.

6.         That a copy of the action plan and research information be circulated to the Committee when available.

 

Supporting documents: