Issue - meetings

An officer briefing note on this issue will follow.

During the debate on this item, Councillor Paul Crossley moved, seconded by Councillor Tim Warren, that the meeting continue until 10.30pm in accordance with Council rule 48.  This was accepted by the meeting.

On a motion from Councillor David Bellotti, seconded by Councillor Simon Allen, it was

RESOLVED that

1.  Council notes that, when it last considered this matter on 14 November 2013, it was agreed “to keep low pay under annual review during each future budget round”;

2.  Council notes that last year we deleted a lower pay band and the administration’s proposals for 2015-16 indicate further pay band deletions.

3.  Council notes national pay negotiations are ongoing and that Employers have offered a £1,065 pay increase on SCP5, a £1,000 pay increase on SCP6, an £800 increase on SCP7 and further tapered increases above up to SCP 11, all from 1^st January 2015.

4.  Council notes that National Employers are also proposing to delete SCP5 from 1^st October 2015.

5.  Council notes that the Low Pay Commission, which is an independent body, advises Government and that recently the Chancellor has increased the national minimum wage to £6.50 per hour, which equates to £12,540 per annum.

6.  Council notes that, since the last general election, the take home pay at the national minimum wage rate has increased by £800 due to the raising of the income tax threshold. Lower tax thresholds will continue to rise under the Coalition Government and political parties are considering their stance towards the CBI call for the minimum threshold for National Insurance to be raised to £10,500.

7.  Council notes that very few Councils have signed up for accreditation as a Living Wage employer because it would require the Council, within 2 years, to only award contracts to those businesses paying the Living Wage. Our Council policy of ‘Think Local’ for procurement is designed to encourage those very small businesses in our area, that could then well be excluded from applying for contracts.

Council resolves

8.  To continue to work towards the Living Wage as and when the Council can afford it.

9.  To consider low pay and the removal of lower pay bands at its budget meeting on 17^th February 2015.

[Notes;

1 – Opening the debate, a motion had been moved by Councillor John Bull asking Council to adopt the Living Wage for all Council staff by April 2015, to sign up for accreditation as a Living Wage employer and to influence local employers to pay the Living wage.  This motion was replaced with the successful amendment

2 - The successful resolution above was carried as an amendment with 41 Councillors voting in favour, 9 against and 4 abstentions.

3 – The successful resolution above was carried as the substantive motion with 48 Councillors voting in favour, 0 against and 6 abstentions.]