75 BCa/17/37 - Living Wage Motion to Council PDF 183 KB
Decision:
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That the Council did not pursue the option of working towards accreditation as a Real Living Wage Employer.
Reason for Decision: Due to the cost and resource implications associated with becoming an accredited employer.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: To pursue the option of working towards accreditation as a Real Living Wage Employer.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
The following Motion was put to the meeting from Councillor Cresswell: “That this Council resolves to establish, without undue delay, a timetable for ensuring that the employees of all its contractors are paid at least the Living Wage in order that Babergh is in a position to declare itself a Living Wage employer by no later than one year from today.” Written notice of the motion was given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule (CPR) No 13.1, signed by Councillors Cresswell and Bavington. This was moved and seconded at the Council meeting on 24 October 2017.
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Councillor Patrick, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance, introduced report BCa/17/37 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Maybury. Members had carefully considered the motion put forward and agreed they were not against the concept. However, in terms of Contractors employed it was felt the Council could only encourage and cajole. The viability of obtaining accreditation was questioned and Babergh District Council being a living wage employer to its own employees was noted. Councillor Bavington objected to paragraph 10.1 in the report as he felt it referred to the motion being a Labour party stunt, which was incorrect. Also within paragraph 11, the options given were not options at all, they merely stated whether to pursue the motion or not. Cabinet fully supported the concept of earning a living wage but recognised it would both be a costly and timely exercise to obtain accreditation. The Council would, however, continue to speak with contractors. By a unanimous vote. It was RESOLVED: - (1)That the Council did not pursue the option of working towards accreditation as a Real Living Wage Employer. Reason for Decision: Due to the cost and resource implications associated with becoming an accredited employer. |