MORE than 1,000 of the Vale council’s lowest paid employees are in line for a pay rise.

Plans to increase the rate of pay for some of its lowest paid workers will be announced by the Vale council today. The plan has been discussed with the council’s trade unions and, once approved by cabinet in September, will see an immediate increase in pay levels for more than 1,000 employees, including cleaners, kitchen assistants and breakfast club supervisors.

The proposed change in pay rates would set the lowest pay rate at £7.90 per hour compared with the national living wage at £7.50 per hour. The current level of the voluntary foundation living wage is £8.45.

The Conservative council’s plans include a proposed change to the lowest pay point for council workers from £15,014 to £15,246 in December 2017.

This will be in advance of further expected pay increase in April 2018 as part of the wider local government pay review.

Cllr John Thomas, leader of the council, has also asked officials to undertake a detailed assessment of the implications of moving all Vale employees onto the “real living wage".

He said he is a firm supporter but stressed the need for a properly costed assessment before taking a final decision.

“This is an initial and immediate step in a journey to improving pay levels for our lowest paid workers,” said Cllr Thomas.

“I want to see the Conservative-run council moving further towards the voluntary foundation living wage over the course of my leadership and am working with officers to do that assessment.

He added: “This would be good for staff morale and will have a positive impact on attendance and productivity.

“I think that it is important to send a clear message to staff that they are valued, and if such a move is financially sustainable – which I believe it can be – then it’s a step that the Vale council will take under my leadership.”

Deacon Samantha Taylor, of Vale of Glamorgan Citizens, a diverse alliance of local community groups, said: “As a local Methodist minister I know how people in the Vale are struggling to make ends meet, so the commitment by the Vale council to work towards the foundation living wage is fantastic news for hundreds of working families.

“Prior to the recent local elections we asked all political leaders to work with us to introduce the living wage to the Vale and it is brilliant that Cllr Thomas is acting on this so quickly.

“We look forward to the day when we can celebrate full living wage accreditation by the Vale, but this is a great start.”

Glenn Pappas, on behalf of the Vale’s Joint Trade Unions, said: “This is good news for the Vale."Whilst we still strive for the full living wage, this is an important move in the right direction.

“It will help some of our poorest paid employees and reflects the council’s commitments as set out in the newly implemented Staff Charter.”