The Chair informed that he had agreed that this item of urgent business be considered because it could not await the next Cabinet meeting.

The Interim Director of Children’s Services presented an update on the proposals for the implementation of Job Evaluation and Harmonisation in all Wirral schools and he sought approval to release money from the General Fund Local Pay Reserve to the Schools Budget in the form of a loan to help meet the costs associated with implementation. He commented that, whilst the costs were significant, the implementation of Job Evaluation and Harmonisation in schools would mitigate the potential threat of equal pay claims being brought against the Council by school based employees and would implement a fair and transparent pay and grading structure in line with that introduced across the Authority in August 2008. Consultation with Schools and trade unions had been on-going during the development of the proposals and he reported that members of the Schools Forum broadly supported the proposal of a loan to meet the costs of back pay.

Resolved –

(1)  That the contribution towards the costs of implementing Job Evaluation and Harmonisation within all schools of £1m from the Local Pay Reserve as agreed by Cabinet on 21 February 2011 in setting the Council Budget for 2011/2012, be noted.

(2)  That a loan to the Schools Budget via the Schools Forum of £2m from the Local Pay Reserve, with this to be repaid before 31 March 2015, be approved.