Issue - meetings

On a motion from Councillor Chris Dando, seconded by Councillor Robin Moss, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously) that

Council notes that:

1.  In 2016 the government introduced a higher minimum wage rate called the National Living Wage, for those aged over 25 years;

2.  This National Living Wage is not based on actual living costs.  Instead, it is based on a target to reach 60% of median earnings by 2020 and currently stands at £8.21 per hour.  The Minimum Wage for those under 25 is £7.70 per hour;

3.  The Real Living Wage rate is independently calculated and based on what people need to get by.  The Real Living Wage stands at £9 per hour outside London for those aged 18 and above.  The rate is announced in the first week of November; and

4.  Over 5,000 UK employers are now accredited by the Living Wage Foundation and voluntarily pay the Real Living Wage, including a number of local authorities.  Bath and North East Somerset Council pays all employees on our main pay scale the Real Living Wage.

Council believes that:

5.  Paying the Real Living Wage not only benefits employees but also employers and the wider economy. However, local government’s continued ability to pay is dependent on proper, long-term funding as proposed in the Fairer Funding Review.

Council agrees:

6.  To request that the Corporate Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel consider the implications of Bath and North East Somerset Council becoming a Living Wage Employer with the Living Wage Foundation, including using its influence as a major local employer and provider of services to urge other local employers to pay the Real Living Wage, and report their findings to the Cabinet for consideration.

[Notes;

1.  During debate, an amendment was moved by Councillor Karen Warrington, and seconded by Councillor Paul Myers, to add an element of location variation.  This was lost with 11 Councillors voting in favour, 39 Councillors voting against and 1 abstention.

2.  A further amendment was moved by Councillor Richard Samuel, seconded by Councillor Ruth Malloy and accepted into the substantive motion by the mover and seconder, to ask the Corporate PDS Panel to consider this issue and report its findings back to Cabinet].