28/4/2006 - Council to consider appeal on elements of equal pay ruling

Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet will receive a report on 2 May setting the context and current position in the Equal Value, Equal Pay claims brought by employees under the Equal Pay Act.  

There are currently nearly 3,000 claims lodged against the council, the claims cover a period of up to the last 6 years and cover 26 categories of employee ranging from care assistants to cooks and school crossing patrols. 

The Head of Legal Services with the council’s barristers are considering the lodging of an appeal.  

Peter Stybelski, Chief Executive of Cumbria County Council said: "Cumbria County Council is a good employer which will meet its obligations in accordance with the law and ensure that any costs are fair, properly applied and the most appropriate use of public money.

"The full scope of the financial implications cannot yet be determined as further research must be undertaken and further decisions determined by tribunals are needed.  The County Council will seek to minimise the costs and will put in place robust financial planning and management in the short, medium and long-term using our existing processes.  Further more detailed reports will be made as further information is available,” said Mr Stybelski.

A full press briefing will be available at the rise of the County Council’s Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 2 May.