Decisions

Cabinet held a minutes silence in memory of Sir David Amess MP who was tragically murdered in his constituency the previous week.

The Joint Employee minutes of 12 October 2021 and staff pay claim had been referred to Cabinet to link with the Pay award item.

The Regeneration and Development recommendation on the King’s Lynn BID item from its meeting on 19 October 20201.

Both items were taken into account when considering the items.

RESOLVED:  1)         That an annual pay award of 2.5% be implemented with effect from 1^st April 2021.  This includes the ‘catch up’ percentage of 0.25% agreed following the outcome of the National Pay negotiations for 2020/21.

2)    That the bottom of the PG scales be increased to £9.50 per hour wef 1.4.21, subject to ‘3’ below

3)    That the Authority continues its practice of matching the bottom point of PG Scales to the lowest point on the National pay scales if these exceed the Borough Council’s lowest pay point when the National Pay Award is agreed.

4)    That staff be granted an additional day of annual leave for 2021/22 (pro rata for Part Time employees) in recognition of the commitment and flexibility demonstrated by employees throughout the year in continuing to balance the additional demands of the pandemic with a return to delivery of the normal range of Council services.   For staff who are scheduled to work on 24.12.21 the additional day should be taken then.   For other staff an alternative day off will be agreed with Line Managers.

Reason for Decision

To implement an annual pay increase for employees which reflects current labour market information and the increasing difficulty experienced in recruiting to a range of posts throughout the Authority.  To reflect the approach taken by the National Employers in relation to increases in the minimum wage paid to employees.   These recommendations are reflected in the Authority’s Financial Plan.

Councillors A Kemp, T Parish and J Rust for all items.

Under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 it was agreed to take the report on the appointment of Deputy Monitoring Officer as urgent business.

RESOLVED:            1)         That the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (Borough Council) enters a section 113 Local Government Act 1972 agreement with Norwich City Council so that it may utilise its appointed Monitoring Officer as the Borough Council’s deputy Monitoring Officer where the Borough Council’s appointed Monitoring Officer is unable to act owing to absence, illness or conflict of interest.

2)          That authority is delegated to the Executive Director, to authorise the final terms of the section 113 Agreement. 

Reason for Decision

To have resilience in the Monitoring Office provision and to ensure that the Monitoring Officer functions can still be performed where the appointed Monitoring Officer or deputy Monitoring Officer are unable to act.

Councillor Middleton informed members that he would not be voting on the King’s Lynn BID item as he was on the Board as a Borough Council appointed representative.

Councillor Long informed members he was a Member of Alive West Norfolk who were also voting on the BID item.

Councillor Dark informed members that he would not lead on the urgent item relating to the appointment of the Deputy Returning Officer because of timings around complaints.  He confirmed he would be participating in the vote.

RESOLVED:  1)        That the Discover King’s Lynn Business Plan 2022-2027 be endorsed.

2)          That the Chief Executive be instructed to vote in favour of the BID on behalf of the Council.

Reason for Decision

To allow the Chief Executive to vote on behalf of the Council in the King’s Lynn BID ballot on 11 November 2021.