As all ALACE members know, the pay climate is very difficult indeed at the moment – for local authority employees in general, but especially for the most senior officers. For most, annual pay rises are a distant memory; and many have actually taken a pay cut, with varying degrees of “volunteering”. Rather than attempting to secure pay rises in the current climate, ALACE has been springing into action when ministers and the media have seriously misrepresented the true present position with senior local government pay. We also had a significant influence on Will Hutton’s report on Fair Pay in the Public Sector, and on DCLG’s guidance on pay policy statements. (See under ALACE Actions)
One development of particular concern is that a small number of councils have been attempting to force changes in pay and conditions on ALACE members through trying to remove their designation as Head of the Paid Service, Monitoring Officer, or S151 Officer. If this happens to you, please let us know urgently. We may well be able to help.
ALACE is monitoring issues around pay and conditions of service closely. If you have been getting grief from your Councillors about your pay, conditions of service, or statutory designation, please send in details.