ALACE 'disappointed' at pay offer for local government chief executives

ALACE, the trade union that represents chief executives, has expressed disappointment about the pay offer for its members serving in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Ian Miller, Honorary Secretary, said: "ALACE welcomes that the employers have made an offer for all chief executives. However we are disappointed that it does not match ALACE's simple request, for equality of treatment with the generality of local government staff.

“The employers have given no reasons for valuing the work and contribution of the most senior officers differently from other staff. We will seek an explanation from the employers about why they are proposing to depart from arrangements which have been applied since 2016 and which have delivered equal treatment. In the meantime, we are not in a position to accept the offer that has been made."

Note for editors

The Association of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers represents only the most senior managers in principal authorities and other local government bodies, such as combined authorities, National Park authorities and offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, across the British Isles.

ALACE is the staff side of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Chief Executives of Local Authorities. There are separate arrangements for negotiating local government pay for council staff in Scotland.

On 8 March, ALACE submitted its claim for a pay increase for April 2021 that matches whatever is implemented for the generality of staff covered by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services. On 14 May the Local Government Employers wrote to ALACE to say that “they would not be able to respond formally to your Side’s claim until the main NJC pay claim has been settled”. The Employers’ letter of 27 July offering a 1.5% increase is the first offer that has been made in respect of chief executives.