Agenda item

(a)  That the Council’s commitment to improving gender equality within the workforce and reduce the gender pay gap in the future be endorsed.

(b)  That it be noted that the plan would be implemented by the People service area, with oversight from the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group (chaired by Cate Duffy, Director of Children, Learning and Skills). 

The Director of Finance & Resources introduced a report to that sought endorsement of the Gender Pay Gap Action Plan, which had been produced in response to the gap reported to Cabinet in March 2018. 

All organisations with more than 250 employees were required to publish the gender pay gap annually under the Equality Act 2010 and Lead Members were reminded that Slough Borough Council’s pay gap of 12.5% was better than the national average of 18.4% and was in line with that of comparable organisations.  The Council was not required to produce an action plan, however, the authority had chosen to draft one which detailed the interventions aimed at understanding the causes of the gap and closing it in future years.  Implementation would be overseen by the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, chaired by the Director of Children, Learning & Skills.

The Cabinet recognised that whilst the pay gap in the Council was below average, it was important that more work was needed and measures which aimed to enhance the progression of women at the Council such as networking and leadership programmes were welcomed.

The Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to take proactive steps to close the gender pay gap and endorsed the action plan.  It was agreed that Cabinet would receive a progress report at a future meeting.

Resolved –

(a)  That the Council’s commitment to improving gender equality within the workforce and reduce the gender pay gap in the future be endorsed.

(b)  That it be noted that the plan would be implemented by the People service area, with oversight from the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group (chaired by Cate Duffy, Director of Children, Learning and Skills).

(c)  That the Cabinet receive a progress report on implementation in 2019.