Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to continue provision of the Business Rates Discount for London Living Wage (LLW) accredited employers from 1^st April 2023 to 31^st March 2026 along with a range of incentives and support for businesses who are (a) paying the LLW but not accredited and (b) moving toward Living Wage payment in support of the “Good Work Standard”.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)                    To agree to renew the business rates discount for Living Wage Accredited Employers for a further three years and approve the policy as set out in Appendix A of the report.

(2)                    To note the proposed dialogue with a broader range of businesses, bearing in mind the nature of Brent’s businesses base as set out in paragraphs 3.1 to 3.14 of the report. The Good Work Standard Group, which represented Brent’s diversity of businesses, would inform and drive the campaign to enable credible business to business communication.

(3)                    To note the proposed targeted communications campaign; the Council’s offer of support to small and micro business, as set out in paragraph 3.27 of the report; and the Council’s offer of priority spaces to businesses committed to joining Brent’s Good Work Standard Business Management/Network. The suite of incentives would be endorsed by the Good Work Standard Group and could be piloted through the network and the Council’s weekly newsletter, which currently reached over 13,500 businesses.

Councillor Southwood (Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy & Citizens Experience) introduced a report seeking approval to continue provision of the Business Rates Discount for London Living Wage (LLW) accredited employers from 1April 2023 to 31 March 2026 along with a range of incentives and support for non accredited LLW businesses and those moving towards LLW payment and accreditation in support of the “Good Work Standard”.

In considering the report, members noted and endorsed Brent’s long-standing commitment to promoting the LLW recognising the importance of addressing low pay as a cause of poverty and in terms of supporting ongoing economic development and tackling the cost-of-living crisis, post-covid.  Whilst supportive of the continuation of the Business Rates Discount, members were also aware of the economic context relating to the make-up of the business sector across Brent and high percentage of small and medium employers not subsequently eligible for the LLW accredited Discount.  As a result, members also welcomed the additional proposals outlined within the report designed to offer a more diverse range of incentives and support to meet the needs of the borough’s small and micro businesses who were either paying LLW but were not formally accredited or were working towards offering the LLW payment, as detailed within section 3.21 of the report.  In addition, members noted and welcomed the additional focus outlined in support of the Mayor of London’s “Good Work Standard” given the incorporation of measures designed to encourage fair pay, and enhance working conditions, diversity and workplace wellbeing.

In expressing support for the proposals, Cabinet highlighted the responsibility it was felt the Council had to promote good employment and working practices, especially given the current economic context and challenges faced by many businesses across the borough and efforts being made to tackle the impact arising from the cost-of-living crisis.  The efforts being made by the Council to promote the LLW, support businesses and incentivise good working and employment standards across the borough were therefore welcomed and as a result Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)            To agree to renew the business rates discount for Living Wage Accredited Employers for a further three years and approve the policy as set out in Appendix A of the report.

(2)            To note the proposed dialogue with a broader range of businesses, bearing in mind the nature of Brent’s businesses base as set out in sections 3.1 to 3.14 of the report. The Good Work Standard Group, which represented Brent’s diversity of businesses, would inform and drive the campaign to enable credible business to business communication.

(3)            To note the proposed targeted communications campaign; the Council’s offer of support to small and micro business, as set out in section 3.27 of the report; and the Council’s offer of priority spaces to businesses committed to joining Brent’s Good Work Standard Business Management/Network. The suite of incentives would be endorsed by the Good Work Standard Group and piloted through the network and the Council’s weekly newsletter, which currently reached over 13,500 businesses.