WOKINGHAM Borough Council has committed to investigating its gender pay gap, as well as seeing if it can become an accredited real living wage employer.
The commitment was made after the council’s latest pay policy statement was approved at a council meeting on Thursday, July 21.
The pay policy is a factual report which details the salaries of staff in the council.
Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, executive for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty, said: “As a major local employer, and as a council committed to fighting for equality in the borough, we have responsibility to show leadership and ensure that every employee is paid a fair wage.”
Although the council complies with the national living wage, Cllr Bishop-Firth believes improvements can be made.
“As part of this, and in answer to a request from the Labour group, we have asked our human resources team to investigate whether Wokingham Borough Council should apply to become an accredited real living wage employer,” she said.
Cllr Bishop-Firth also raised concerns about the gender pay gap.
She said the council will “take all necessary steps” to reduce this gap and, during the next year, the council will work to tackle issues “within its control”.
This includes looking at other councils to see what can be adopted in Wokingham.
