Pay Increase For Senior Hounslow Officials
Council says its salary scales second lowest in London
Hounslow Council has recommended a range of pay increases for senior management. The council says it has to revise pay scales to give it flexibility to attract and retain senior staff and because a comparative review last year found its payments range was below other councils in London, ranking it 24th out of 25th.
Chief Officer grades were already awarded a 2% increase in February. Chief Executive Mary Hartley's new salary would be £164,828.
The Council report presented to a borough council meeting on Tuesday ( March 24) said Hounslow Council had experienced recruitment difficulties with some key Assistant Director roles.
By making adjustments the Council proposed to offer a salary of ‘up to’ £119,159 for the Assistant Director roles compared to the current maximum of £97,007 and a comparator maximum of £126,627 plus PRP. It also proposed a £5,000 as one-off (unconsolidated) 'retention' allowance to be used to retain talent in the organisation, paid at the end of each full year of service.
The report states, "The revised salary scales will allow greater flexibility when looking to recruit into hard to fill roles and ensure Hounslow can compete for the best talent. In addition the Council will be in a stronger position to retain its senior talent as the revised salary scales will be in line with what is being offered in other London Councils."
"As these new scales are introduced, changes will also be made to the appraisal process for Chief Officers and the Chief Executive. Incremental progression will no longer be available as part of the appraisal process but instead will be subject to new criteria requiring exceptional achievement over and above stretching objectives".
Following the ‘Hutton Review of Fair Pay in the Public Sector’ (March 2011) and the government’s desire to achieve greater transparency in public sector, the council has to show transparency and accountability regarding the remuneration of both highest and lowest paid employees.
March 24, 2015
