A NEW pay scheme recommended for approval by West Dorset District Council is set to ensure all staff are paid above the living wage – but councillors stopped short of declaring themselves a living wage employer.

Responding to questions at a full council meeting at South Walks House in Dorchester, Robert Gould, the leader of the council, said WDDC is ‘committed’ to ensuring fair payment and reward for its workforce.

Barry Thompson, pictured right, of the West Dorset Labour Party, asked councillors how many employees of the shared services partnership between West Dorset District and Weymouth and Portland Borough Councils are paid below the living wage of £7.65 an hour.

He added: “When will WDDC be able to call itself a living wage employer and what steps are being taken to achieve this status?”

Cllr Gould said: “A new pay scheme has been recommended by the executive committee for adoption. The lowest grade is above the living wage and subject to app-roval, it will be implemented in November this year.”

The pay scheme was approved by full council later in the meeting.

Cllr Gould added: “The council is committed to fair pay and reward for its workforce.

“However, like many others, this council has not made a formal commitment because accreditation raises a number of concerns and risks if the living wage continues to rise above inflation.

“A commitment to paying a living wage is likely to be unaffordable for small businesses and likely to prevent them from being able to do business with the council.”

Businesses and employers are able to apply for formal accreditation by the Living Wage Foundation, if they and their contractors pay the rate to all of their employees. In April of this year it was revealed that one in four workers in Dorset earns below the Living Wage.

Weymouth and Portland is the worst-hit area with 29 per cent of employees earning less than £7.65 per hour.

The statistics were released by the Trades Union Council, which analysed figures from the House of Commons Library.

The Living Wage Foundation campaigns for workers to be paid enough to cover the costs of living.