Issue - meetings

Trish Kinsella (Lead Commissioner - Strategic People Improvement) and Rich Thomas (Strategy and Commissioning Manager (HROD) presented the item. In October 2020, the Staff & Pensions Committee agreed a recommendation not to amalgamate to a single point six for the 2020/2021 pay year but to undertake a review into the financial impact of this and engage with schools and consider the approach being taken by neighbouring authorities. The review has since been completed and the outcome supported the amalgamation to a single scale point.  The review confirmed that those teachers on point 6 would be paid at the higher value 6b scale point to mirror the Government’s advisory pay points which were  introduced in 2020. All those engaged with unanimously supported having a single point six pay grade. Trish Kinsella stated that the increased costs would fall onto schools to fulfil. 

In response to Councillor John Horner, Trish Kinsella noted that teachers in 6a would see an increase in their pay  whereas those at the 6b level would not.    

Following a question from Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince, Trish Kinsella confirmed that some schools would be more impacted then others, but time had been spent with them engaging on this  this and no objections had been received.  

Councillor Christopher Kettle queried the financial challenges some schools may have with the pay increase. Trish Kinsella confirmed that the cost of the increase on the paybill was 0.2% and the school’s finance team was working with schools to understand the impact on them.  Rich Thomas added that schools were currently budgeting 2% for pay increases.  Andrew Felton (Assistant Director – Finance) informed the committee that schools recently received an extra £7 million to help provide extra services, so the pay rise should not cause an insurmountable issue. 

Councillor Bill Gifford commented that it would be difficult to oppose the recommendation in the circumstances as it had been accepted by the teaching unions, schools and that it is a matter for school governors as to whether to adopt the pay policy advice.  Trish Kinsella added that schools have the right to set their own pay policy but that maintained schools currently follow the Warwickshire model pay policy.  

In response to the Chair, Trish Kinsella confirmed that the West Midlands Employers School Network were comfortable with the six point pay outline because schools want to keep their pay grades in line with their geographical neighbours. 

Resolved 

That the Committee approves the amalgamation of points 6a and 6b of the Teachers Main Pay Scale into a single point 6, to be paid at the current scale 6b level, with effect from September 2021.