STAFF at Test Valley Borough Council are expected to get a pay rise back-dated to 1 April 2012 following two years of pay standstill.

Councillors meeting tonight (25/7) at Beech Hurst in Andover have been advised by Chief Executive Roger Tetstall to agree to a rise of one per cent to all employees subject to a minimum increase of £250.

No rise was agreed in the year 2010/11 and in 2011/12 only staff earning below £21,000 a year were awarded a one-off payment of £250 – this payment was not consolidated into pay scales nor did it count as pensionable pay.

The council has received a claim from Unison for a rise but it is not a party to the national pay bargaining arrangement for local government.

In his report Mr Tetstall says councillors have to decide whether or not it is appropriate in the present circumstances to make a pay award.

He said: “This involves, amongst other things, balancing the duty to maintain efficient and prudent use of public funds in a time of severe economic austerity with the need to recognise the contribution made by staff and to maintain a high performing organisation.”

If councillors agree to the recommendation then estimated cost is £173,000 a year.

The union also requested that those people currently working for 16 hours and claiming working tax credit should have their hours increased to 24 in order for them to continue receiving this benefit when regulations change next year next year.

The council officers’ management team says the union idea provided helpful background information but could not constitute the basis for any formal commitment.