A Grantham Labour councillor has been praised by ruling Conservatives for delivering a budget amendment that will see South Kesteven's lowest paid staff receive at least £9.50 an hour.

Coun Louise Clack (Lab- Earlesfield) sought to amend the council's budget for 2021/22 to ensure it paid the 'Real Living Wage' as a small gesture to support the hard work and dedication of council staff, as shown during the pandemic.

After talking of how the pandemic had harmed council finances, cabinet member for finance Coun Adam Stokes (Con- Springfield) told Monday's full council meeting he was grateful to Coun Clack for showing how the pay rise could be implemented.

Coun Leader Kelham Cooke (Con-Casewick) said he was proud to support the proposal "because we believe and agree that a fair day's work deserves a fair day's pay."

Coun Clack said she was delighted to make the change and thanked councillors of all parties for their support, especially Coun Stokes, Amanda Wheeler (Lib-Dem – Stamford St George's and Paul Wood (Ind-Viking).

The move, which will see a pay increase for the lowest six grades of council employees, showed the value of cross-party collaboration, "an approach to which I am committed," she added.

Coun Mark Whittington (Con- Grantham Barrowby Gate) said Coun Clack's amendment was "one of the best to a motion I have ever seen. It's an excellent amendment properly costed with its finance sourced."

Coun Stokes added: "It proves we are a listening cabinet and we do listen. My door is always open."

Budget figures reveal that council staff will have a 'pay pause' in 2021/22 but those earning less than £24,000 a year will receive a minimum £250 pay rise.

The council's 'pay award' and the incorporation of the National Living Wage would add £150,000 to SKDC's salary bill.

In addition, the budget confirmed the extension of a boost to the wages of front line street scene staff from next month, which is budgeted to cost the council an extra £197,000 a year.

Last March, they started to receive a £50 a week bonus when the pandemic started, and the council has previously said it wished to see better pay continue for such employees.

The budget will also make savings of £300,000 in 'corporate salaries' from 'service reviews,' budget papers for the Monday meeting also revealed.