STAFF at Selby District Council and City of York Council could be among more than a million local authority workers around the country to be offered their first pay rise in three years.

Local authority employers have offered more than a million workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland a proposed increase of one per cent to workers earning at least £12,145.

The proposed rise does not apply to teachers, firefighters and council chief executives, but would add more than £150 million to the amount being paid to council workers and was said to be the best available figure in the face of Government spending cuts.

A spokeswoman for Selby District Council said: “We are governed by national conditions of service, which are being negotiated at present.”

The offer is the first since 2009, when a three-year pay freeze started, and unions have been pressing for a “substantial” increase, with no strings attached, complaining that council workers were at “breaking point” over pay.

Heather Wakefield, Unison’s head of local government, said: “Local government workers have seen a 16 per cent decline in the value of their pay in the last three years, coupled with significant local attacks on terms and conditions.

“Unison’s local government committee will be mindful of this when we consider this improved offer.”

Sian Timoney, who chairs the employers’ side, said: “Councils have been consistently clear that our hardworking employees should receive a pay offer this year. This is the best offer possible in light of significant cuts to council funding.”

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said: “Discussions are ongoing, as with all local authorities.”