The gender pay gap has been an issue which has rocked many of Britain's largest establishments to their core.

North Norfolk News: The documents are available to view during normal opening hours at the NNDC offices in Holt Road, Cromer. Picture: ArchantThe documents are available to view during normal opening hours at the NNDC offices in Holt Road, Cromer. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

And it seems as though public bodies in Norfolk are no different, with a north Norfolk organisation coming off amongst the worst having revealed their pay figures.

The North Norfolk District Council have revealed that the average woman at the council is paid 27.5% less than the average man, despite employing nearly 25% more women than men.

This puts the NNDC at the second largest wage discrepancy (behind Breckland at 31.5%) of any district council in Norfolk, some of which have reported paying women more, if not equally to men.

This comes about as a result of more men working in the upper quartiles of the organisation at 55%, with far more women working in the middle and lower quartiles of the council.

Steve Blatch, Corporate Director and Head of Paid Service at NNDC, said: 'We are proud of our record when it comes to the career development of both men and women.

'The pay-gap figures are a snapshot of a particular moment in time. Two years ago, this figure would have looked very different when we had a female chief executive and several other women in senior roles.

'The gender pay gap is affected by a range of factors, including the demographics of the council's staff. These demographics include a high number of female employees (on a near 2:1 basis), and that impacts on the median pay gap. This is partly because we offer flexible/agile working, which is particularly attractive to working parents (many of whom are women) and carers.'

In their gender pay gap report, NNDC reported that they are already taking action to combat the issue.

This ranged from offering development opportunities and flexible working hours, as well as recruiting under the Equality Act.

They have also promised in the future they will be coaching women towards career progression within the organisation, and continuing to support flexible working hours.

They have also pledged to employ more men, so as to further improve their gender balance.