Today Buckinghamshire County Council announced that staff of all levels, including directors, would not receive a pay award for 2010/11.
The decision comes after consultation with employees. Members of Buckinghamshire County Council’s Senior Appointments and Bucks Pay Award Committee (SABPAC) met to discuss the Council's financial position last Thursday.
The current financial climate has resulted in pressure and severe budgetary constraints on BCC. This means savings of £27million over the next three years must be made, while the Council maintains frontline services and minimise job cuts.
Similar problems are being faced by colleagues across local government, and those authorities on national conditions (NJC) have advised the unions that they are unable to offer any increase in pay for 2010/11.
Bill Chapple, Deputy Leader of the Council and chairman of SABPAC said: “We understand that the decision to hold pay ranges at the current levels will be disappointing to many staff. Despite the fact that we are unable to provide a pay increase this year, I would like staff to be absolutely certain that their commitment and contribution is as valued now as it always has been.
"I, and the other members, hope that staff will understand the difficult decision we have had to make due to the current financial climate and severe budgetary constraints placed upon us. We know that all staff will continue to support us through their excellent work in meeting the needs of Buckinghamshire’s residents.”
At the meeting of full council on 26th November David Shakespeare, Leader of the Council asked the Council to note that “the 46 members of the Conservative majority said that they would not take any increase in allowance next year. The Chief Executive of the Council and his Directors have also said that they will not accept a pay increase next year”.