Issue - meetings
London Living Wage
Meeting: 14/01/2013 - Executive (Item 10)
10 London Living Wage PDF 92 KB
This report sets out recommendations for the Council to pursue implementation of becoming an accredited London Living Wage (LLW) organisation. It sets out the policy context and reasons for this commitment. It also explains the necessary caveats and conditions the Council will need to apply in order to protect the integrity of its’ financial position.
Additional documents:
Decision:
(i) that agreement be given to the Council seeking Accreditation as a London Living Wage Employer;
(ii) that positive steps be taken to review existing contracts over a three year period on a case by case basis to wherever possible apply LLW criteria;
(iii) that Social Care contracts be examined with the London Living Wage Foundation and other LLW Boroughs to explore the application of LLW;
(iv) that officers should act to promote the application of the LLW to schools, businesses and other organisations within Brent;
(v) that, subject to Finance, Procurement and Legal advice, officers seek to apply the LLW consideration when tendering;
(vi) that note the comments of the Deputy Director of Finance regarding the potential cost of applying LLW.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Butt, introduced the report from the Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Improvement. The report set out recommendations for the Council to pursue implementation of becoming an accredited London Living Wage (LLW) organisation and set out the policy context and reasons for the commitment. It also explained the necessary caveats and conditions the Council would need to apply in order to protect the integrity of its financial position. Councillor Butt stated that the Brent residents were being adversely affected by the financial climate and the council wanted to assist taking into account the considerations outlined in the report.
The Executive noted reference in the report to the council’s duties under legislation to seek ‘best value’ and in response to a question from Councillor Long (Lead Member, Housing) on how this would be dealt with, Councillor Butt responded that officers would report back. Councillor Lorber (Leader of the Opposition) drew members’ attention to the financial implications and the cost difference between current wage levels and LLW within existing contracts which was estimated to be £9.1m. He expressed the view that the Executive should at this stage, have the option to include the necessary provision for the forthcoming budget process. Councillor Butt responded that contracts would be dealt with individually as and when they arose, taking into account best value, and efforts would also be made to negotiate improved terms. This was the start of the route towards accreditation. Councillor Crane concurred reminding of the evidence indicating that Brent was wage economy.
RESOLVED:
(i) that agreement be given to the Council seeking Accreditation as a London Living Wage Employer;
(ii) that positive steps be taken to review existing contracts over a three year period on a case by case basis to wherever possible apply LLW criteria;
(iii) that Social Care contracts be examined with the London Living Wage Foundation and other LLW Boroughs to explore the application of LLW;
(iv) that officers should act to promote the application of the LLW to schools, businesses and other organisations within Brent;
(v) that, subject to Finance, Procurement and Legal advice, officers seek to apply the LLW consideration when tendering;
(vi) that note the comments of the Deputy Director of Finance regarding the potential cost of applying LLW.