Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED:      1)          That the updated Redundancy Policy (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) be adopted with effect from 1^st April 2025. 

2)             That, as outlined in the updated Redundancy Policy, the Council revises the terms of its redundancy payments scheme to 1.75 times the number of weeks statutory redundancy entitlement (based on age and length of service) with effect from 1^st April 2025.

3)             That, as outlined in the updated redundancy policy, the Council revises the terms of its salary protection arrangements to provide salary protection for a period of 24 months where an employee is redeployed to a position one grade lower, with effect from 1^st April 2025.

4)             That the updated Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 4 be approved.

Reason for Decision

To ensure the Council’s redundancy payments scheme and procedure for salary protection in circumstances where an employee is redeployed are reviewed and updated in accordance with the relevant regulations, and to ensure the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 reflects the Authority’s policies towards pay related issues.

The Assistant Director, Central Services presented the report which outlined the Council’s current arrangements and the business case to support the recommendations for change to the Council’s redundancy policy, redundancy payments scheme and salary protection arrangements. 

It was noted that, subject to Full Council agreeing the revised Redundancy Policy, it was also necessary to update the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 so that the policies remained consistent.

Cabinet noted that discussions and negotiations had been held with the relevant Trade Unions who had agreed with the proposals.

It was noted that the Joint Panel had considered the proposals at their meeting on 18^th March 2025 and had supported the proposals.

RECOMMENDED:      1)         That the updated Redundancy Policy (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) be adopted with effect from 1^st April 2025. 

2)               That, as outlined in the updated Redundancy Policy, the Council revises the terms of its redundancy payments scheme to 1.75 times the number of weeks statutory redundancy entitlement (based on age and length of service) with effect from 1^st April 2025.

3)               That, as outlined in the updated redundancy policy, the Council revises the terms of its salary protection arrangements to provide salary protection for a period of 24 months where an employee is redeployed to a position one grade lower, with effect from 1^st April 2025.

4)              That the updated Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 4 be approved.

Reason for Decision

To ensure the Council’s redundancy payments scheme and procedure for salary protection in circumstances where an employee is redeployed are reviewed and updated in accordance with the relevant regulations, and to ensure the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 reflects the Authority’s policies towards pay related issues.