LOW paid council staff could be in line to receive more money but a move to bring in a new wage structure has been blocked by councillors.

Members approved a plan to introduce a living wage of £7.85 an hour into its pay policy for employees in place of the minimum wage of £6.50.

But a bid by green member Cllr Felicity Norman to introduce a 1:10 difference between the authority's highest paid member, chief executive Alistair Neill, and the lowest paid staff was thwarted.

The pay increase recommendation will now be sent to the council's Employment Panel.

"We want to ensure people are earning a decent day's wage for a decent day's work," said Cllr Jenny Bartlett, who supported the bid brought before Herefordshire Council last Friday.

"This is about setting a good example.

"By doing this we would be in a good moral position to work for a better future for those in our county."

There are thought to be very few council staff members currently on the minimum wage anyway, but the rise would be welcomed by those employees.

The pay scale change was frowned upon by the council's leader, Cllr Tony Johnson, though, who called it an "unnecessary, self-imposed shackle" on the authority.

Lib Dem leader Cllr Terry James, meanwhile, pointed out that on the ratio suggested the chief executive would be in line for a huge pay increase.

Former council leader Cllr Roger Phillips also urged caution with the living wage idea, saying the wage is set by a voluntary London-based group who, although well meaning, have no statutory powers.

"We've got things like a care bill to meet," he said. "Where do we find that money?"

The living wage bid, however, was passed, although the pay restructure motion was defeated.

Also lost was a plan to encourage other employers to follow in the footsteps of the council should its pay structure plan have proved successful.

The move follows Bromyard and Winslow Town Council's decision earlier this month to become a living wage employer.