North Ayrshire Council has one of the lowest gender pay gaps of all Scottish local authorities.
The equal opportunity employer revealed the pay difference between male and female employees for last year was just 1.5 percent – half of what it was in 2012. Meaning their figures are ahead of the national average of 3.9 percent.
Chief executive Craig Hatton said: “We are delighted with this report, it shows we are on the right track to making a North Ayrshire that is fair for all.”
The figures were revealed to councillors as they considered the Equality Mainstreaming Progress Report at their cabinet meeting last Tuesday.
The document also sets out an overview of the work going on across the authority to create an environment free from unlawful discrimination based on age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
Last year the council reached an agreement with trade unions to settle its equal pay claims; this gave way to settlement offers delivered to more than 500 current and former employees.
The report also highlighted the council’s forward-thinking work throughout last year. Such as; Achieving level two status of the Disability Confident Employer scheme, acknowledging the council’s proactive efforts to attract and recruit people with disabilities, a two percent increase in the number of accessible public properties for people living with disabilities, the launch of the Ayrshire Shared British Sign Language Plan and introduction of e-learning courses on deaf and sight loss awareness.
North Ayrshire Council also introduced a carer’s leave policy which enables staff to time off to care for their loved ones and facilitated the development of supporting young LGBT+ community programmes.
The child-centred council also introduced a new impact assessment that asks staff to consider the effects their policies, procedures and budgets proposals could have on the lives of local children.
Over 73 percent of young people in North Ayrshire leaving school last year went on to further or higher education – much higher than the national average of 68 percent, the report said.
Mr Hatton, added: “Creating a North Ayrshire that is fair for everyone, regardless of their personal circumstances, is one of our main priorities.
“Indeed, it underpins everything we have set out in our new draft Council Plan.
“Our ambition is for North Ayrshire to be a place where everyone has the same life chances to grow, prosper and have fulfilling and healthy lives.
“Whether that’s providing more job opportunities allowing those living with disabilities to lead independent lives, creating inspiring learning environments that allows all pupils to achieve their goals or creating homes that meet the needs of our current and future residents.
“Part of this also includes creating a working environment within the Council that is non-discriminatory to our employees.”
