Submission Documents: By Councillor George Redmond:- "Council notes the STUC's "Scotland demands a pay rise" rally taking place outside the Scottish Parliament on 8th September 2022; notes the strike action taken by staff of this Local Authority, and others across Scotland, in response to the unsatisfactory pay offer; notes that this action takes place in the context of the highest rate of inflation seen for over a generation; and notes, with alarm and concern, that the energy price cap is forecast to at least double by January next year, with some forecasts going considerably higher. Council recalls its decision of 23rd June 2022 that it is the responsibility of the Council to act, where it can, to support citizens. Council believes that the current support package announced by central Government is insufficient to avert widespread suffering; and that central Government should use all resources possible to support individuals and households through the cost-of-living crisis, including supporting pay rises across the public sector. Council, therefore, believes that the Scottish Government should meet the additional costs of a pay offer to Local Government staff, recognising (a) pay awards in other parts of the public sector in Scotland, (b) that Local Government accounts for the single largest group of public sector staff in Scotland and (c) that the finances available to Local Government are overwhelmingly determined by the Scottish Government. Further, Council recognises that the expected extraordinary increases in the energy price cap risks vulnerable households choosing to simply not use energy during the winter months; and recognises the acute risk of winter evictions as cost pressures continue to rise. Council additionally notes the reporting in the press regarding Officers exploring the concept of "heat bank". Council considers that the acute pressures this winter requires an emergency response from the Council and all public sector partners. Therefore, Council resolves to instruct Officers to bring forward a paper to CAC at the earliest opportunity that outlines the Council's proposed response, and that this should include consideration of options to utilise its property estate in each community across the city. Further, Council resolves to write to the Scottish and UK Governments demanding an immediate increase to the support package available, including direct support to Local Authorities to support an improved pay offer and increased funding to support the opening of community facilities over the winter months, to match the scale of the crisis that our communities face." Help Icon

This is the list of documents available for the submission By Councillor George Redmond:- "Council notes the STUC's "Scotland demands a pay rise" rally taking place outside the Scottish Parliament on 8th September 2022; notes the strike action taken by staff of this Local Authority, and others across Scotland, in response to the unsatisfactory pay offer; notes that this action takes place in the context of the highest rate of inflation seen for over a generation; and notes, with alarm and concern, that the energy price cap is forecast to at least double by January next year, with some forecasts going considerably higher. Council recalls its decision of 23rd June 2022 that it is the responsibility of the Council to act, where it can, to support citizens. Council believes that the current support package announced by central Government is insufficient to avert widespread suffering; and that central Government should use all resources possible to support individuals and households through the cost-of-living crisis, including supporting pay rises across the public sector. Council, therefore, believes that the Scottish Government should meet the additional costs of a pay offer to Local Government staff, recognising (a) pay awards in other parts of the public sector in Scotland, (b) that Local Government accounts for the single largest group of public sector staff in Scotland and (c) that the finances available to Local Government are overwhelmingly determined by the Scottish Government. Further, Council recognises that the expected extraordinary increases in the energy price cap risks vulnerable households choosing to simply not use energy during the winter months; and recognises the acute risk of winter evictions as cost pressures continue to rise. Council additionally notes the reporting in the press regarding Officers exploring the concept of "heat bank". Council considers that the acute pressures this winter requires an emergency response from the Council and all public sector partners. Therefore, Council resolves to instruct Officers to bring forward a paper to CAC at the earliest opportunity that outlines the Council's proposed response, and that this should include consideration of options to utilise its property estate in each community across the city. Further, Council resolves to write to the Scottish and UK Governments demanding an immediate increase to the support package available, including direct support to Local Authorities to support an improved pay offer and increased funding to support the opening of community facilities over the winter months, to match the scale of the crisis that our communities face.".

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Name Type of Document Access View Document
Item Minute - 08 September 2022 Minute Public Open Document in PDF Format
(118 KB)

 

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