Decision - Living Wage Accreditation

(1)               That officers be instructed to seek agreement from the Living Wage Foundation to the proposed procurement approach and exemptions as set out in the report; and

(2)               That subject to the agreement by the Living Wage Foundation to the matters set out at recommendation (1) above, it be agreed that the council should formally apply to the Living Wage Foundation to become an accredited UK Living Wage employer from 1^st April 2013.

The report describes the financial and other implications, including those around future procurement process, of applying for Living Wage accreditation according to the terms set out in the accreditation licence. Considerations were given as to how other councils are introducing Living Wage contracts and the recommended procurement method and exemptions are based on that research.

In May 2012 Cabinet endorsed the findings of the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Commission and agreed to recommendation 5 of the commission’s final report, instructing officers to explore the possibility of the council gaining Living Wage accreditation. This report details the findings and recommends the council formally apply to the Living wage Foundation for accreditation as described.