Issue - meetings

From: Councillor Morgan

How is SKDC planning to increase the locally agreed living wage to match the national living wage?

A question had been submitted to the Council meeting held on 2 March 2015, which asked how SKDC was planning to increase the locally agreed living wage to match the national living wage.

Officers explained that the national living wage (outside London) was £7.85. Members were reminded that the Council used local pay and conditions and during 2013/14 the Council adopted a local living wage arrangement, which was based on the East Midlands area, for lower paid staff; this was subject to annual review. It was anticipated that if those payscales that were below the national living wage were elevated to meet it, it would cost approximate £47,000 plus oncosts. Members noted that local pay and conditions reflected national settlements while providing flexibility to exceed these.

A majority of members present felt that committing the council to align with the national living wage would not provide flexibility to respond to local changes in circumstance. PDG members expressed concerns about the additional costs and the impact that they would have on council tax payers in the district. There were also concerns that the calculation of the national living wage included a number of areas where the cost of living was significantly higher than South Kesteven.

Conclusion

Pay and conditions were reviewed annually as part of the Pay Policy Statement presented with the annual Budget. Most members of the PDG did not support aligning with the national living wage but agreed that the local living wage provided sufficient flexibility to enable pay and conditions to reflect the local environment.

To note the list of questions asked under Council procedure rule 11.1 as circulated at the start of the meeting and their reference to the relevant Policy Development Group.

Three Questions Without Discussion had been received and referred to the relevant Policy Development Groups for response.

Question 1

From: Councillor Morgan

What plans do SKDC have with regard to increasing parking and appropriate secure cycle storage capacity in Grantham town centre given the significant developments approved and those in the pipe line?

Referred to the Communities Policy Development Group

Question 2

From: Councillor Morgan

How is SKDC planning to increase the locally agreed living wage to match the national living wage?

Referred to the Resources Policy Development Group

Question 3

From: Councillor Ashberry

How is SKDC proposing to ensure the appropriate upgrade and maintenance of playground equipment in areas where there is no parish council and low opportunity for S106 funding?

Referred to the Communities Policy Development Group