Saturday working payment at Group 4 Court Services

Annual salaries for Senior Custody Officers at Group 4 rose by £460 with effect from 1 October, worth just under 3% in most cases. Changes to Saturday working and increases in holiday entitlement and allowances for controllers were also part of the package.

Basic salaries now range from £13,465 in Area 8 (including an incorporated £75 annual court allowance) to £17,661 in Area 7 (after 12 months' SCO service).

Under the agreement the existing practice of not compensating by payment Senior Custody Officers for Saturday working ceases. Instead this will be paid at flat rate, rather than the time being counted against the normal salary or for time off in lieu. Holiday entitlement is harmonised across all "contract areas" at 22 days, rising to 27 days after five years' service. Public holidays worked are paid at a flat rate, with a minimum payment of four hours plus an alternative day off in lieu.

Other aspects of the package include the harmonisation over a two-year period of Controllers' allowances, these are currently worth between £850 and £1,000 per year. A meal allowance of £6 is available for officers who work a shift in excess of 12 hours, and the mileage rate is harmonised at 15p per mile.

Officers who work in excess of 14 hours away from their normal work location are entitled to overnight accommodation (bed, breakfast and evening meal). Finally, under the agreement there are no unpaid sickness waiting days for Senior Custody Officers.