The Group Manager – Human Resources and Organisational Development presented a report, to seek Council approval to adopt the Joint Protocol for Mileage Rates in Local Authorities in Wales as a temporary arrangement.
The joint protocol on mileage rates, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, had been approved by Group Leaders on behalf of the WLGA Executive Board, and shared with the Joint Council for Wales (JCW) Executive, and trade unions have formally agreed the proposal and requested its implementation at the earliest opportunity.
She explained that the national protocol is effective from 26 September 2022, which was timely given Council’s earlier decision to implement the recommended rate of 50p per mile in the short term, subject to review by 30 September 2022, with the current rate being 46p per mile and having been that for some considerable time.
She advised that the relevant Trade Unions nationally were in support of the increase and that decisions regarding this be made locally by local authorities.
In terms of the reports financial implications, The Group Manager – Human Resources and Organisational Development confirmed that full annual cost of implementing this new rate, based on the 2021/2022 levels of work mileage is estimated at £50,000 per annum. This can currently be funded from within existing mileage budgets as a result of lower than usual mileage at the current time. Should mileage increase then this funding availability may be at risk.
Most of the reduced mileage was in respect of meetings/training/conferences now being held virtually instead of in-person rather than front line service delivery e.g., social care workers.
As there was a move towards more in-person meetings, spend on mileage will increase and spend against budgets will be closely monitored, she added.
She concluded her submission by stating if the report was approved the increase would be effective immediately and reviewed at 31 March 2023.
The Leader commended the report and was appreciative of the fact that this would benefit the Council home care worker contingency.
A Member asked if petrol prices decreased, would the proposed increase be subject to further review, to which the Group Manager – Human Resources and Organisational Development replied that this would take place at an All Wales level.
RESOLVED: That Council:
(1) Approved the adoption of the Joint Protocol for Mileage Rates in local authorities in Wales from 26 September to 31 March 2023.
Delegated authority to the Chief Executive to approve any extension, should the protocol be extended for a period up to 6 months.