Medway Council Approves Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 Financial Year

Medway Council’s Full Council has today approved the Pay Policy Statement for the 2026/27 financial year following recommendations from the Employment Matters Committee. The decision follows weeks of negotiations between council management and union representatives over staff pay arrangements.

The council has proposed a 3% pay increase for all staff on MedPay terms and conditions, reflecting the cost-of-living award framework. The draft budget for 2026/27 includes £4.052 million allocated for the pay award, with council leadership committed to ensuring the settlement remains consistent with the Consumer Price Index.

Union Pay Claims and Negotiations

The joint union pay claim, submitted by Unison, sought a 5% flat rate consolidated increase for all staff, along with additional requests including a 3.2% increase in sleep-in allowances and a return to National Joint Council pay scales. The unions also called for discussions on how best to support staff on lower grades and payment of social work registration fees.

The estimated cost of implementing a 5% pay increase across all staff would reach approximately £6.166 million, creating an additional pressure of around £2 million on the council budget. The statutory increases for the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage are estimated to cost a further £335,000, benefiting 413 employees.

Additional Pay Considerations

Beyond the core pay award, the council is reviewing various employment matters including alignment of children and adults social care pay scales, and the status of sleep-in payment rates, which currently stand at £47 per hour following a 2023 review.

The Employment Matters Committee previously recommended that Full Council approve the pay offer for 2026/27, allowing the council to proceed with the formal pay policy implementation. The approved statement sets out the council’s approach to pay policy in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 requirements.

The decision ensures clarity for both council staff and residents regarding how council finances are allocated towards employee remuneration during the forthcoming financial year.

Key Takeaways

• Medway Council has approved a 3% pay increase for staff on MedPay terms and conditions for 2026/27
• The Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 received full council approval following employment committee recommendations
• Union negotiations sought 5% pay increases, with discussions continuing on various terms and conditions

What This Means for Kent Residents

The approved pay policy represents the council’s formal commitment to managing staff remuneration fairly whilst balancing budget pressures. The framework ensures the council can attract and retain skilled employees whilst maintaining service delivery across key areas including social care, waste management, and local services that Kent residents depend on.