Gender pay gap closing at Midlands council

Dudley: Councillors are happy to see the gender pay gap closing. A recent report shows the gap between men and women’s pay is now 4.6%. This is down from 7.9% last year.

This new figure is better than the national average of 13.1%. Cllr Steve Clark, the finance cabinet member, noted that Dudley is ahead of the curve compared to national rates.

The drop in the pay gap is partly due to fewer staff. The council’s workforce shrank from 5,062 to 4,803. Most of the changes were in part-time female roles, which saw a reduction of 221 employees.

Cllr Shaukat Ali from the Labour group acknowledged the progress but pointed out that a gap still exists. Women are still earning less than men, highlighting ongoing challenges in the workforce.

The average hourly pay for men at Dudley Council is £17.53, while women earn £16.72. The median pay gap is 10.3%, an improvement from 12.8% last year.

Interestingly, 64% of council workers are women. Many of the lower-paid roles, like cleaners and catering assistants, are filled by women, contributing to the pay gap.

During a council meeting, concerns were raised about the number of women in higher-paying roles. However, Cllr Clark mentioned that the chief executive position is currently held by a woman.

The chief executive’s salary is set at £195,792, while the lowest pay grade is £23,656. Cllr Clark emphasized that the best candidates fill positions, regardless of gender.