City Council backs ‘living wage’
Winchester City Council decided yesterday (Thursday 21 February) to implement the new ‘living wage’ for its directly-employed staff.
The Council already pays the minimum wage and will meet the £15k-£20k extra cost of introducing the living wage – £7.45 per hour – within its existing budgets.
Cllr Stephen Godfrey, Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance and Administration, said
As a responsible employer we believe it is important to pay the living wage. We want staff to feel positive about working for Winchester City Council and we believe that the living wage will help us achieve that.
The Council is a significant local employer and can set an important example for others. We believe that the investment will pay for itself by improving staff retention, productivity and customer service.
Winchester City Council is one of the first organisations in Hampshire and one of the first local authorities to sign up for the living wage. The Council employs 435 staff (full-time equivalent).