Women and people from ethnic minority groups working at Wokingham Borough Council are paid less on average than their white male counterparts.

That is according to a new report on the council’s gender and ethnicity pay gap.

It states that, on average, men are paid 15.58 per cent more than women and ethnic minority groups are paid 5.96 per cent less than non-ethnic minority groups.

The report states: “This does not mean we pay men differently to women for the same roles but that roles at different grading levels are attracting people from different genders.”

READ MORE: Outrage as 450 trees are chopped down near Reading FC training ground

The report also states there are “a lack of ethnic minority colleagues” in well-paid senior roles and the council will review its recruitment process to determine whether it is “getting applicants for vacant roles from ethnic minority groups”.

According to the report, just 8.86 per cent of the highest paid council employees are from ethnic minority groups.

The report also shows that 81 per cent of the lowest paid council workers are female.

The council says that is because just over 40 per cent of its female employees work part time.

Around a quarter (330) council employees are men, but around 90 per cent of them work full time.

The report adds: ” Our flexible working policies and significant opportunities for part time working, primarily in roles within the lower pay quartiles, means that we are attractive as an employer to primary carers, who in the main continue to be women.

READ MORE: Council breaks its own affordable housing rule for £113m development

“In addition to this, Wokingham Borough Council has outsourced the majority of lower paid roles that typically attract male workers.

“The situation is unlikely to change significantly unless there is a society shift with more men taking on the primary carer role and seeking part time work.

“However, this does not mean we should not be proactive in our efforts to reduce the pay gap.”

The report will be discussed by the council’s Personnel Board when it meets on Tuesday, March 23.