Agenda

Including any notices of motion and any other items of business submitted as urgent for consideration at the meeting.

Members should declare any financial and non-financial interests they have in the items of business for consideration, identifying the relevant agenda item and the nature of their interest.

If any

Minute of the Policy and Sustainability Committee of 22 August 2024 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Work Programme

Rolling Actions Log

Business Bulletin

By Councillor Staniforth – Support for Local Government Workers' Pay

“Committee notes:

1.         The significant decline in the real value of local government workers’ pay since 2010, with an average loss of 25%.

2.         The severe financial hardship faced by many local government workers due to the soaring cost of living, with one in five households having less than £100 disposable income per month.

3.         The increased workload pressures and job insecurity experienced by local government staff, because of the reduction in the workforce since 2010, has caused a rise in ill-health, disproportionately affecting women. (Improvement Service, 2024).

4.         The critical role of local government in maintaining essential services but the exodus of staff to better-paid roles due to low pay and unsustainable workloads.

5.         Local authorities in Scotland have an estimated funding gap of £585 million in 2024/25 and this is expected to rise to £780 million by 2026/27 (Accounts Commission, 2024).

6.         While the Scottish Government’s budget has increased by 37% since 2014/15, the local government budget has increased by 1.3% over the same period (Improvement Service, 2024).

This committee believes:

7.         Local government workers are essential to the functioning of our communities and that their dedication and professionalism is invaluable.

8.         Local government workers deserve a substantial pay increase to reflect the value of their work and to address the cost-of-living crisis.

9.         The Scottish and Westminster Governments must take responsibility for fully funding this pay increase.

This committee therefore:

10.       Asks the Council Leader to express the committee’s support to the SJC and other joint negotiating committees in supporting the pay claim for a 7% increase in all spinal column points or £1.60 per hour, whichever is greater and therefore support a pay claim that is fair for all staff.

11.       Calls on COSLA to continue collaborate with trade unions in securing adequate funding for the pay claim from the Scottish Government.

12.       Requests the council leader write to the Finance and First Ministers requesting new funding for a pay increase for local government workers.

13.       Further requests the council leader write to the Chancellor requesting an increase in funding to local councils which would be expressed in Scotland through a commensurate increase in the block grant.

14.       Resolves to engage with local trade union representatives to express support for the pay claim and explore ways to assist the campaign.

15.       Encourages all local government workers to join a trade union.

By Councillor Heap - Abolition of time restrictions on reapplying for Blue Badges and Assisted Parking

“Council notes:

1.         That applications for Blue Badges cannot be made more than once within a six-month period, even if there is new evidence available or the condition(s) worsen(s) within that period

2.         That officers advise this restriction is not a statutory requirement, and is a City of Edinburgh Council rule

3.         Regrets this may have made it harder to people to apply for the support they need

4.         That, according to information provided by Council officers, only one other entitlement (Assisted Bin Collections) has such a restriction.

Council therefore:

Requests officers provide a report to the next Committee meeting on the feasibility of ending restrictions on re-applications for the two schemes noted above, with the exception of vexatious re-applications.”

The Sub-Committee is requested under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

Directorates Cyber Incident Response – Internal Audit Report Phased Implementation Plan – referral from the Governance, Risk and Best Value Committee