WOMEN working in BCP Council earn more than their male colleagues, new figures from the government show. 

Data from the government’s gender pay gap service shows women employed by the authority earn 6.1 per cent more for their median hourly salary compared with men in the year to March. 

This bucks the trend of councils nationwide where women are typically paid three per cent less than men in local authorities.

A BCP Council spokesman said the council is currently working out a single pay structure which all 5,000-plus employees will transition to – ensuring men will earn the same as women.

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He said: “Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council was formed from a workforce made up of employees from the three preceding councils, which means that due to TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) legislation, there may currently be staff on different salaries doing the same or similar work.  

“We also have a higher proportion of female employees across all our salary bands, as shown in the data from the gender pay gap service. 

“As part of our continuing work to transform the council we are currently establishing a single pay structure which all staff will transition to, ensuring that we achieve equal pay across our workforce.” 

He added because proposals and negotiations are ongoing, the council is unable to comment on which departments women are paid more in. 

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The Local Government Information Unit, a membership body, said councils are moving in the right direction on the gender pay gap – but added there is “more work to be done”, particularly in senior positions. 

Jonathan Carr-West, the organisation's chief executive, said: “Just 22 per cent of council leaders are women and only 33 per cent of council chief executives. 

“With women making up 78 per cent of the workforce across local government, this can have knock on effects across service areas as well as impacting development opportunities for women at all levels.” 

Dorset Council’s female employees also earned more than men at two per cent, though their pay has decreased relatively as they earnt 6.1 per cent more than men the year before.