Provision of Consultancy Services for Pay and Grading Review

Somerset Council is considering the appointment of a consultancy partner to assist with a Pay and Grading review.

Somerset Council is a predominantly rural unitary Council which came into being on 1 April 2023, bringing together the services previously provided by the four district councils; Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West & Taunton, and South Somerset, alongside the services provided by Somerset County Council.

Following the creation of the Unitary Authority the council has been going through a period of transformation and has recently completed a review of structure and roles. Following a whole Council restructure, staffing levels from 1 April will be c4670 FTE. A high level structure chart is attached.

We are currently considering an approach to developing and implementing a Total Reward Transformation programme for Somerset Council and may wish to seek support to deliver a complex and extensive 18-24-month programme of work that will result in an improved employer value proposition (EVP) and modernised pay and grading structure in 2026/27.

The development and implementation of a fair and equitable Total Reward strategy, including a pay and grading review will ensure that the Council is able to recruit, retain and motivate a modern workforce with the goal of ensuring that the best possible value for money services are available to Somerset residents.

The Total Reward Programme and Pay and Grading Review are planned projects within the 'Improvement and Transformation Workforce Programme',

The implementation of the strategy will involve two main areas of work:

· Workstream 1: Establishing a new pay and grading structure, which will include:

• New, evaluated job descriptions for all jobs in the Council

• An updated, sustainable approach for ensuring all jobs are properly and fairly evaluated, that is legally compliant, protects the Council against equal pay risks and that fosters a fair working environment

• A costed and affordable pay and grading structure that is fit for purpose and supports the Council in its recruitment and retention goals

Workstream 2: Integrating other terms & conditions (includes; pay enhancements & allowances, leave/time off, travel & subsistence, professional subscriptions, working time, financial and non-financial staff benefits and recognition schemes)

Should we seek to appoint a consultant to assist in the delivery of such a programme, the chosen supplier must be able to demonstrate proven experience of the successful delivery of the same or similar work in a comparable authority.

Following the recent market engagement with interested consultants, a Further Competition is now being launched, with consultants who expressed interest, under Lot 5 (Human Resources) of the Crown Commercial Service Framework RM6187 - Management Consultancy Framework Three (MCF3)