My contribution to #CoopParty Debate on Economy policy paper

The Co-operative Party has changed how it runs it conference this year. Instead of deabating motions - some often mutually exclusive - that go nowhere, this year the format is to debate 6 policy papers that have been produced by the NEC. 

Local branches have had chance to contribute to in the drafting process and some of these submissions. Missing policy ideas are able to be added.

The first policy area to be debated was The Economy based on this policy paper

Debate 1. Economy (60 mins)

There were twenty three separate party submissions on the Economy. Twenty one of the submissions were either included or related to other policy papers. 

Two policy ideas have been recommended to the CAC for debate and vote (see below).

1. An incoming Labour and Co-operative government will appoint a government Minister with a specific remit for working with co-operatives and third sector social enterprises in order to help improve their sustainability. 

Yorkshire and Humberside Party

NEC Recommendation: FOR VOTE

2. Fighting the recession and unemployment.The Party should campaign as one of its major priorities, for the introduction of the Living Wage as the best solution to the low wage and benefits income strategy. Also, short term and zero hours contracts in the job market should be phased out.

South West Party

NEC Recommendation: NEC asks to include a vote on the minimum wage being raised to a living wage.This would remove the competitive disadvantage to co-operatives of paying the living wage where their rivals do not.

As part of the discussion on the policy saver. I had this to say in support of the SW Party Council policy idea on the Living Wage 

Paul Bull

Labour and Co-operative Councillor on Exeter City Council

and South West Party delegate

I am proud to say that 30 employees of Exeter City Council will find an extra special Christmas bonus in their December 2013 pay packet

From that date, each and every employee working for Exeter City Council - not of one whom has a zero-hours contract - will receive the Living Wage.

We do this not because we have to - but because we want to.

The Living Wage is a bench mark of good practice and we hope that many businesses in Exeter and beyond will follow our lead.

I would like to see any company that pays a dividend to shareholders being forced to pay the Living Wage

But I am concerned by the NEC recommendation - that the statutory National Minimum Wage should be raised to the Living Wage.

I cannot find fault with the ideal and aspiration - it's the wording of the recommendation gives me a problem.

I work in theatre -

co-operative working models and methods abound

But low pay is endemic and many emerging companies struggle now to pay the minimum wage

To raise this overnight to the level of the Living Wage would remove for opportunities theatre practitioners

I would like see the National Minimum Wage raised year on year to converge towards  he level of verbs Living Wage.

It is only with this proviso can I ask you to support the NEC recommendation

E&E | Long road to raise wages

27 June 2013

A living wage is needed for all

IT is very welcome news that Exeter City Council has pledged to pay a 'living wage' to its staff (City vows to tackle low wages, Echo, June 20). This is a key Green Party policy and was included in our recent Devon County Council election manifesto.

However, a recent report revealed that average earnings in Exeter have failed to keep pace with the rest of the South West. Key to ensuring decent pay for all is to ensure that the private sector implements a living wage.

On this critical issue Labour in Exeter seem to be resorting to wishful thinking; simply hoping businesses in the city will follow the lead taken by Exeter City Council is not good enough.

This is why the Green Party has advocated the introduction of the Living Wage Employer's Mark, offering accreditation to employers that pay the living wage, or those committed to an agreed timetable of implementation. Such an accreditation scheme is already in existence, offered by the Living Wage Foundation.

This way, locally based businesses will have something to shout about as they introduce decent pay, and Exeter will really be able to move towards declaring itself a Living Wage City.

Andrew Bell 
Exeter Green Party Policy Officer

11 July 2013
LETTERS

I THANK Andrew Bell for his qualified welcome of the news that Exeter City Council has pledge to a 'living wage' to its staff (A living wage is needed by all, Letters, June 27).

I echo his view that it is wishful thinking that to hope that businesses in the city will follow the lead taken by Exeter City Council.

That is why myself and my Labour colleagues have had long and in-depth discussions at local party level.

That is why I welcomed the excellent report on low average earnings in Exeter that came before Scrutiny Committee – Economy on May 30. He may be interested to know that the committee recommended that the scrutiny economy and executives "consider mechanisms that would provide the means to ensure that the City strives to achieve higher wage levels" .

One of those mechanisms was to be considered was the establishment of a task and finish group.

At the subsequent executive committee meeting, Cllr Rosie Denham, as portfolio holder economy and culture, put forward a proposal to establish a low wage forum, to consider the impact of low wages and high cost of living on Exeter residents and identify strategies to address these issues. This forum would invite representatives from the university, local businesses and community groups to come along to give views and evidence to councillors. I want to ensure that I never hear comments like "people should be pleased to work here and be happy with low pay – just look at the views".

I am sure that this new forum will address many issues, including how to encourage as many businesses as possible to follow Exeter City Council's lead. I would imagine that the forum would enter into meaningful dialogue with the Living Wage Foundation.

I, for one, have no illusions how hard this journey will be but I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. So this is no simple wishful thinking, but the start of robust positive action to encourage city businesses to follow the lead set by the strong Labour administration on Exeter City Council.

Paul Bull

Labour and Co-operative Councillor for Cowick