Agenda item

Motion on NJC pay to Doncaster Council – A fully funded, proper pay rise, for Council and school workers

“This Council notes:-

·           Local Government has endured cuts from Central Government since 2010, with the think tank Centre for Cities, highlighting that Doncaster has been the 3rd worst hit Council in the UK;

·           Doncaster Council has seen a 31% reduction in Central Government funding since 2010;

·           By 2021, the total budget gap this Council has had to bridge will be a staggering £272 million, since Government austerity measures started in 2010/11;

·           Doncaster Council has lost over 2,000 members of staff since 2010/11, yet is still expected to deliver the same level of service;

·           The local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint, with pay going down in real terms; and

·           Women have been disproportionately affected by the Central Government cuts, as they make up more than three quarters of the Local Government workforce.

This Council believes:-

·           Our workers are public service super heroes.  They work to support our communities across the Borough, and without the dedication of our staff, the services residents rely on would not be deliverable;

·           Local Government funding has already been cut to the extent that a proper pay rise could result in a reduction to local services; and

·           Central Government needs to take responsibility and fully fund increases in pay; it should not put the burden on Local Authorities whose funding has been cut to the bone.

The Council resolves to:-

·           Support the pay claim submitted by GMB, UNISON and Unite on behalf of Council and school workers;

·           Call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to Central Government to fund the NJC pay claim; and

·           Write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to call for a pay rise for Local Government and school workers which is fully funded with new money from Central Government.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Rachel Hodson, and Seconded by Councillor Rachael Blake:-

Motion on NJC pay to Doncaster Council – A fully funded, proper pay rise, for Council and school workers

“This Council notes:-

·           Local Government has endured cuts from Central Government since 2010, with the think tank Centre for Cities, highlighting that Doncaster has been the 3rd worst hit Council in the UK;

·           Doncaster Council has seen a 31% reduction in Central Government funding since 2010;

·           By 2021, the total budget gap this Council has had to bridge will be a staggering £272 million, since Government austerity measures started in 2010/11;

·           Doncaster Council has lost over 2,000 members of staff since 2010/11, yet is still expected to deliver the same level of service;

·           The Local Government workforce has endured years of pay restraint, with pay going down in real terms; and

·           Women have been disproportionately affected by the Central Government cuts, as they make up more than three quarters of the Local Government workforce.

This Council believes:-

·           Our workers are public service super heroes.  They work to support our communities across the Borough, and without the dedication of our staff, the services residents rely on would not be deliverable;

·           Local Government funding has already been cut to the extent that a proper pay rise could result in a reduction to local services; and

·           Central Government needs to take responsibility and fully fund increases in pay; it should not put the burden on Local Authorities whose funding has been cut to the bone.

The Council resolves to:-

·           Support the pay claim submitted by GMB, UNISON and Unite on behalf of Council and school workers;

·           Call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to Central Government to fund the NJC pay claim; and

·         Write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to call for a pay rise for Local Government and school workers which is fully funded with new money from Central Government.”

The Chair afforded all the Members in the Chamber the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

A vote was taken on the meeting which was declared as follows:-

For – 44

Against –  0

Abstain – 0

On being put to the meeting, the Motion was declared CARRIED.

            RESOLVED that

This Council notes:-

·         Local Government has endured cuts from Central Government since 2010, with the think tank Centre for Cities, highlighting that Doncaster has been the 3rd worst hit Council in the UK;

·         Doncaster Council has seen a 31% reduction in Central Government funding since 2010;

·         By 2021, the total budget gap this Council has had to bridge will be a staggering £272 million, since Government austerity measures started in 2010/11;

·         Doncaster Council has lost over 2,000 members of staff since 2010/11, yet is still expected to deliver the same level of service;

·         The Local Government workforce has endured years of pay restraint, with pay going down in real terms; and

·         Women have been disproportionately affected by the Central Government cuts, as they make up more than three quarters of the Local Government workforce.

This Council believes:-

·      Our workers are public service super heroes.  They work to support our communities across the Borough, and without the dedication of our staff, the services residents rely on would not be deliverable;

·           Local Government funding has already been cut to the extent that a proper pay rise could result in a reduction to local services; and

·           Central Government needs to take responsibility and fully fund increases in pay; it should not put the burden on Local Authorities whose funding has been cut to the bone.

The Council resolves to:-

·           Support the pay claim submitted by GMB, UNISON and Unite on behalf of Council and school workers;

·           Call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to Central Government to fund the NJC pay claim; and

·           Write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to call for a pay rise for Local Government and school workers which is fully funded with new money from Central Government.