First Valleys Authority to deliver on its promise to tackle poverty

25 July 2012

Caerphilly county borough council is set to pay over 3,000 employees extra in their wages from October. Following a call for action by the Leader Cllr Harry Andrews, Cllr Keith Reynolds Deputy Leader and cabinet member responsible for resources responded saying "I have asked for this report to be brought forward immediately to ensure we make good on our election promises and pay our employees a minimum of £7.20 an hour."

The council, is one of the largest employers in the South Wales Valleys, is setting out an ambitious plan to eradicate those living below the poverty threshold in its area. Cllr Reynolds continued "The majority of the workforce likely to benefit from this move, are women working in our schools, social services and public service areas who are currently being paid a minimum wage of £6.38 an hour, making this move will bring them into line with big private sector employers, including Barclays Bank and accountants KPMG, who are also signed up to paying it."

Cllr Chris Forehead Cabinet member for HR also commented "We are delighted that our trade union colleagues have welcomed this move and it is important to note we have found the additional costs from savings already made in the areas where these people are employed."