Apologies were received from Councillor Thomas

The Chair will open the meeting.

Cllr Ladbrooke welcomed those present and suggested that the guests take turns to introduce themselves and say a few words about their interest in and or response to the principle of a living wage, before opening up for wider discussion.

The Review Group have asked to invite evidence from large and small employers, business groups, workers who are directly affected by low pay, and agencies, professionals and faith groups in the city that support low paid workers.

The following people have agreed to attend this meeting to speak to the Review Group about issues related to low pay and the promotion of the Oxford Living Wage.  The Chair will ask each external guest to speak for up to 5 minutes.

·         Matt Padley, Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University

·         Mark Fransham, social researcher (former City Council employee)

·         Luke Marion, Finance & Commercial Director, Oxford Bus Company

·         Sue Merrell, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers

·         Ed Thomas, Unison Brookes University

·         Lamis Hamdi, Oxford University Islamic Society

·         Eric Bossward, Church England St. Mary's Barton

Mark Fransham said that poverty rates in Oxford were close to the national average alongside a very buoyant labour market and low unemployment. The picture in the City was probably clouded to some extent by the very large student population. The inference is that ‘in work’ poverty is probably a significant issue (ie inability to get enough work). The costs of living in Oxford were widely recognised as being comparable in many respects to those in London so there was a powerful logic in the principle of at least an Oxford Living Wage (OLW).

Low pay does not, of itself, necessarily contribute to poverty. The number of hours that a person can work was significant, whether as a result of personal circumstances (eg having a caring responsibility) or a limitation by an employer. Support from advice centres was important as was the role of the Council in helping to secure a smooth transition for residents to Universal Credit.

Mark said that there was no reliable evidence to support the now often held contention that low paid workers were being forced out of the City. There was however evidence that high rental costs were causing people to leave, not least because those costs continued to increase while benefits remained the same and or decreased in real terms. One commentator had referred to this movement of people as ‘social cleansing’.

Mark noted the need to consider whether, if the OLW was adopted, how, geographically,  should it  be applied. 

Laura Valadez explained that the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) had developed a  methodology  for determining what was referred to as the Minimum Income Standard (MIS). It was an ongoing programme of research which sought to define what level of income is needed in order to reach a minimum socially acceptable standard living in the UK. The MIS informs calculation of the Real  Living Wage (RLW). The methodology for determination of the MIS is built around case studies and a precise analysis of detailed research with groups of members of the public specifying what items need to be included in a minimum household budget. The results show how much households need to earn in order to achieve this disposable income. The analysis is conducted every other year with an inflation element added for the years between. The London Living Wage (LLW), based on the MIS ,was being phased  (to do so all at once would be ‘too much too soon’).

Laura said that the experience of a living wage in the USA was complicated to unravel because of the federal structure there.  There was, however, some evidence that the introduction of a living wage had had a positive effect on the economy, resulting in, among other things, a reduction in the turnover of staff  with improvements in pay.

Luke Marion said that the  Oxford Bus Company (OBC) employed c. 600 people of whom c. 40 were bus drivers, paid well by industry standards (c. 27 - 30k) as well  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

The Scrutiny Officer will provide a verbal update on the progress of the Review Group’s call for evidence.

Agreed that the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft should be invited to a future meeting of the group.

The notes of the previous meetings are included for reference.

Agreed.

Meetings are scheduled as follows:

1 November 2017, 5pm

15 November 2017, 5pm

01 November 2017 5pm

15 November 2017 5pm