Cardiff CC is writing to around 3,000 employees to make them an equal pay offer, in a bid to avoid a costly legal battle. This will benefit the largely-female staff employed in catering, cleaning and social care who the council believe could have an equal pay claim. The Welsh Assembly Government has given approval to the council to borrow £11.5m to fund this settlement, which means the costs incurred can be spread over 20 years. At the maximum level, the settlement could mean a payout of more than £9,500 per person for those affected – after tax and national insurance contributions, which the council will arrange to pay on behalf of staff – depending on the grade, length of service and contracted working hours. ‘We want to ensure we look after our employees affected in this way and have worked hard to bring as speedy a conclusion as we can to this process,' said executive member for finance, Cllr Mark Stephens. ‘We believe that this is a fair settlement which will prevent a lengthy legal battle, and enable us to pay compensation.'