To be moved by Councillor Adam Hug and seconded by Councillor Patricia McAllister.
“The Council notes that a number of its major contractors do not pay the London Living Wage to staff who work on Westminster's behalf.
It notes the dramatically increased rates of in-work poverty and food bank use in Westminster and across the country.
It also notes that a number of other London Boroughs such as Camden and Islington are committed to paying the London Living Wage to both their staff and their contractors, with 15 London Authorities and the GLA accredited by the Living Wage Foundation.
The Council believes that low pay is damaging to both workers and the quality of service provision.
It also believes that paying the London Living Wage or above can help improve service quality, staff recruitment and retention.
It also believes that if Westminster does not pay its staff and contractors at least the London Living Wage it will face increasing competition for staff from boroughs that do.
The Council resolves to develop a pay and contracts policy that ensures all directly employed staff and all staff employed by contractors for work in Westminster receive at least the London Living Wage.
It also resolves to enter into discussions with its existing long-term contractors to improve conditions for contracted staff who are currently being paid below the London Living Wage.”
Minutes:
The Minority Party had selected for debate the Notice of Motion as set out on the agenda. The Notice of Motion was moved by Councillor Adam Hug and seconded by Councillor Patricia McAllister.
Councillor Angela Harvey moved and it was seconded by Councillor Gotz Mohindra that the Notice of Motion be amended as follows:
Add opening paragraph:
“The Council notes that all London-based staff employed directly by the local authority receive a salary that is equal to, or greater than, the London Living Wage”.
Delete third and subsequent paragraphs then add
“The Council recognises that it awards its contracts on a competitive basis, taking into account the need to provide the best value for money and the best services for our residents, businesses and visitors. This can only be achieved with contractors who have high regard for their employees and their development, something which the Council actively engages on during the tender process. The Council acknowledges that this approach brings positive results, with 73% of people who live in Westminster believing that the Council is well run and 65% thinking that it provides good value for money, both of which rate well above the national average.
The Council commends the outstanding work of its committed and talented employees, along with the partnerships formed with contractors who deliver many valued services throughout the city. The Council will continue to set out clear expectations around employment during procurement procedures and to take its role as a civic leader seriously.”
Councillor Adam Hug replied, following which the Lord Mayor put the amendment moved by Councillor Angela Harvey and seconded by Councillor Gotz Mohindra to the vote and on a show of hands declared the amendment CARRIED.
The Lord Mayor then put the substantive motion to the vote and on a show of hands declared the substantive motion CARRIED.
RESOLVED:
“The Council notes that all London-based staff employed directly by the local authority receive a salary that is equal to, or greater than, the London Living Wage.
It notes dramatically increased rates of in-work poverty and food bank use in Westminster and across the country.
The Council recognises that it awards its contracts on a competitive basis, taking into account the need to provide the best value for money and the best services for our residents, businesses and visitors. This can only be achieved with contractors who have high regard for their employees and their development, something which the Council actively engages on during the tender process. The Council acknowledges that this approach brings positive results, with 73% of people who live in Westminster believing that the Council is well run and 65% thinking that it provides good value for money, both of which rate well above the national average.
The Council commends the outstanding work of its committed and talented employees, along with the partnerships formed with contractors who deliver many valued services throughout the City. The Council will continue to set out clear expectations around employment during procurement procedures and to take its role as a civic leader seriously”.