Bid to help low-paid in £6m budget cuts

The cut was part of a package of changes to Doncaster Council staff terms and conditions in a bid to save £6 million.

This week, the Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, announced changes to his draft budget to allow a lower pay cut for lower paid staff.

He said: “Within the previous proposals there was complete lack of support on details concerning protection for the lowest paid members of staff which was unacceptable.

“I’m pleased to see we now have a set of options in place that will help cushion the blow, as well as protecting jobs and services, and saving all the money that we need to.”

Under the revised proposals, there will be no pay cut to any member of staff earning below £14,733.

Staff groups earning between £14,733 and £14,999 will lose one per cent, salaries from £15,000 to £20,799 will be cut by two per cent, and there will be a 2.5 per cent reduction for those earning more than £20,800.

There will be a guarantee of a one per cent pay award in 2013/14 instead of the 2.5 per cent previously put forward.

Car mileage allowance will drop from 50p to 45p and working hours will remain as they are.

What do you think? Use the "write a comment" buttons to post your views.

A council spokeswoman said that the aim of the proposals was to secure up to 250 jobs and protect services, as well as save £6 million towards the council’s overall budget reductions of £30 million in 2012/13.

The Mayor’s revisions have been approved by the council’s Employee Relations Committee (ERC) and a new offer has been submitted to trade unions.

The changes will be reflected in the Mayor’s draft budget proposal presented to the Cabinet on February 1.

Chairman of the ERC, Councillor Craig Sahman, said: “I have today agreed to a revised offer that I believe is better for all of the council’s workforce.

“As a committee we remain committed to continuing negotiations with unions.”