Agenda item

(Upon the amendment to this motion being moved, Councillor Spratt declared an interest, on the basis that he was employed in the public sector, and left the meeting for the remainder of the discussion.)

 

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Matt Collins proposed:

 

“Over the last year, councils have led the way in efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a huge range of services and support for our communities. Local Government has shown more than ever how indispensable it is. 

 

But the pandemic has led to a massive increase in expenditure and loss of income and the Government has failed to provide the full amount of promised support. 

 

Local Government workers have kept our communities safe throughout the pandemic, often putting themselves at considerable risk as they work to protect public health and deliver functioning services during this difficult time.

 

Since 2010, the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing at least 23 per cent of their value since 2009/10. At the same time, workers have experienced ever-increasing workloads and persistent job insecurity. 

 

The funding gap caused by Covid-19 will make local government employment even more precarious. There has been a disproportionate impact on women, with women making up more than three-quarters of the local government workforce. 

 

Recent research shows that if the Westminster Government were to fully fund the unions’ 2021 pay claim, around half of the money would be recouped thanks to increased tax revenue, reduced expenditure on benefits, and increased consumer spending in the local economy. 

 

The Council believes that: 

 

·        our workers are public service super-heroes. They keep our communities clean and safe, look after those in need, and ensure services continue to function. Without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services would not be deliverable. Local government workers deserve a proper real-term pay increase; and

 

·        the Government should take responsibility to fully fund this increase, it should not put the burden on local authorities whose funding streams have greatly suffered and who have not been offered adequate support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. 

 

Therefore, the Council resolves to: 

 

·        support the pay claim submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite with NIPSA support on behalf of council and school workers, for a substantial increase with a minimum 10 per cent uplift in April 2021;

 

·        call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to central government to fund the NJC pay claim; 

 

·        write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State to call for a pay increase for local government workers to be funded with new money from central government; and 

 

·        meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for its pay claim and consider practical ways in which the council can support the campaign; including encouraging all local government workers to join a trade union.”

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Michael Collins.

 

At the request of Councillor Heading, the proposer agreed to amend his motion to provide for the deletion of everything after the words “Therefore, the Council resolves to” and the insertion of the following:

 

·        support the pay claim submitted by Trade Unions representing all public sector staff for a substantial increase;

 

·        write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to call for a pay increase for public sector workers to be funded with new money from central government;

 

·        meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim and consider practical ways in which the Council can support the campaign; and

 

·        encourage all staff to join a union.

 

After discussion, the motion, as amended and set out hereunder, was put to the Council and passed:

 

“Over the last year, councils have led the way in efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a huge range of services and support for our communities. Local Government has shown more than ever how indispensable it is.

 

But the pandemic has led to a massive increase in expenditure and loss of income and the Government has failed to provide the full amount of promised support.

 

Local Government workers have kept our communities safe throughout the pandemic, often putting themselves at considerable risk as they work to protect public health and deliver functioning services during this difficult time.

 

Since 2010, the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing at least 23 per cent of their value since 2009/10. At the same time, workers have experienced ever-increasing workloads and persistent job insecurity.

 

The funding gap caused by Covid-19 will make local government employment even more precarious. There has been a disproportionate impact on women, with women making up more than three-quarters of the local government workforce.

 

Recent research shows that if the Westminster Government were to fully fund the unions’ 2021 pay claim, around half of the money would be recouped thanks to increased tax revenue, reduced expenditure on benefits, and increased consumer spending in the local economy.

 

            The Council believes that:

 

·        our workers are public service super-heroes. They keep our communities clean and safe, look after those in need, and ensure services continue to function. Without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services would not be deliverable. Local government workers deserve a proper real-term pay increase; and

 

·        the Government should take responsibility to fully fund this increase, it should not put the burden on local authorities whose funding streams have greatly suffered and who have not been offered adequate support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

            Therefore, the Council resolves to:

 

·        support the pay claim submitted by Trade Unions representing all public sector staff for a substantial increase;

 

·        to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to call for a pay increase for public sector workers to be funded with new money from central government;

 

·        meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim and consider practical ways in which the Council can support the campaign; and

 

·        encourage all staff to join a union.”

 

Standing Order 23

 

            At this point in the meeting, the Lord Mayor drew the Council’s attention to the fact that, in accordance with Standing Order 23, any meeting of the Council which has lasted continuously for five hours shall stand adjourned unless the Council shall by resolution decide to continue sitting.

 

            The Council resolved to continue to sit to deal with the remaining business.