by political editor Paul Francis

Unions representing thousands of County Hall staff have asked Kent County Council to go to arbitration in its pay dispute after a ballot showed staff backed industrial action.

Unison said it had asked the county council to go to arbitration in an effort to broker a new pay agreement.

Kent Unison branch secretary David Lloyd said an indicative ballot of members had indicated substantial support for industrial action short of a strike.

However, the union had now formally approached KCC offering to hold talks with the conciliation service ACAS in an attempt to avoid that happening.

Mr Lloyd said: "We are asking KCC to re-start negotiations with a view to asking it to involve ACAS so it can be taken to arbitration. If that is accepted we would temporarily suspend any industrial action."

It is understood staff belonging to the GMB union who have been balloted have also supported industrial action.

KCC has offered staff a one per cent pay award this year, saying that the economic climate required restraint. Council leader Cllr Paul Carter said he was willing to talk but the offer was non-negotiable.

He said: "The National Pay settlement for councils may be zero per cent - if that is the case our settlement will look generous. I believe we have made a more than fair offer to staff."

If arbitration fails, union members are likely to agree action such as working to rule.