Issue - meetings

Item 8 (i)

Mr Robert Evans (Stanwell and Stanwell Moor) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows:

Surrey County Council is proud that our new Chief Executive, the most senior officer of the staff, is a woman. However, Council notes that the average female Surrey CC employee is paid 14.7% less than the average male employee.

Similarly, Council notes that the average woman employed by Surrey Police is paid 12.2% less than the average man in the force.

Surrey County Council is committed to equality and recognises that this is an issue that needs to be faced.

This Council hereby resolves to adopt measures that will attempt to address this differential gap in future.

Item 8 (ii)

Mr Chris Botten (Caterham Hill) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows:

Council recognises that it has failed to anticipate demand for a number of services, including CAMHS and for Special Needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, where demand is growing at a considerable rate and which no-one foresaw.

Council further recognises that the current CAMHS arrangements are inadequate and notes the current remedial action plan is still failing to meet the needs of many Surrey children, and that an alternative provider may very well need to be found.

Council notes that in order to deliver the sustainable vision for 2030 it is essential that demand for such crucial services is anticipated so that it can be met.

Accordingly, Council resolves to establish a partnership with the University of Surrey to examine and understand the drivers of demand in CAMHS and special needs such as ASD, and aims to create a world-leading source of expertise in predicting and managing demand for these crucial services between now and 2030.

Item 8 (iii)

Cllr Rachael I Lake (Walton) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows:

There is growing evidence to suggest a link between air quality and health, and poor air quality is said to contribute to 40 thousand premature deaths per annum in the UK. Surrey has already assessed its air quality and has established 25 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in the county. The Government recently published its Clean Air Strategy, which has wide-ranging implications, including for Local Government. 

In this context, Council notes that Surrey County Council has: 

·        Developed clean air and Electric Vehicle (EV) strategies that are currently being consulted on as part of the Local Transport Plan

·        Secured funding for investment in EV charge points 

·        Secured funding to switch Guildford Park & Ride to a fully electric bus fleet

·        Procured the UK’s first EV fire engine

·        Initiated dialogue with the EV sector to develop the county’s EV provision.

This Council:

1.     Recognises its leading role in tackling air quality, particularly in its public health, highway and transport roles.

2.     Will continue to work with the Districts and Boroughs, and other partners to develop a countywide strategy to improve air quality.

3.     Commits to work with government to secure funding and to develop and deliver its Clean Air Strategy.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 56

Item 8(i)

Under Standing Order 12.3 the Council agreed to debate this motion.

Under Standing Order 12.1 Mr Robert Evans moved the motion, which was:

‘Surrey County Council is proud that our new Chief Executive, the most senior officer of the staff, is a woman. However, Council notes that the average female Surrey CC employee is paid 14.7% less than the average male employee.

Similarly, Council notes that the average woman employed by Surrey Police is paid 12.2% less than the average man in the force.

Surrey County Council is committed to equality and recognises that this is an issue that needs to be faced.

This Council hereby resolves to adopt measures that will attempt to address this differential gap in future.’

Mr Evans made the following points:

• Provided various examples of organisations with large gender pay gaps
• That the motion asks that Surrey County Council addresses its gender pay gap
• Jobs could be made more convenient for women with children by providing more high level job share and part-time opportunities
• Talent scouts could be used to identify more women for high level positions
• More could be done to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects to women in school.
• The actions and commitment of the Council is the only way to make an improvement. 

The motion was formally seconded by Mr Jonathan Essex who reserved the right to speak.

Six Members made the following points:.

• That a gender pay gap was different to equal pay for equal work.
• That equal work will always match equal pay in SCC.
• That the median gender pay gap in Surrey is 14.7%.
• 73% of the workforce in Surrey Council are women.
• Over 50% of SCC leadership roles are filled by women.
• That this was a false motion.
• In Surrey Police, women are paid on average 12.2% less than a male colleague.
• That Surrey should attract talented women to all levels of the organisation.
• 36% of Surrey County Councillors are women, and 43% of Cabinet roles are filled by women.
• There are many other diversity groups that should also be considered.
• That the motion was based on an outdated report that was published in March 2017.
• That it is important to seek talent no matter what gender.
• That a large portion of Social Workers job share.
• That the motion was a waste of time.

Mr Essex, as seconder to the motion, made the following comments:

• That equality of opportunity is just as important as equal pay for the same job.

• That the motion is highlighting that there are opportunities for improvement.
• That the greatest factor was the percentage of women working in the bottom 25% of pay grades.
• That job roles in care, cleaning and catering are paid lower than other roles and undervalued.
• Surrey could sign up to the Ethical Care Charter to help address the gender pay gap issue.

The Chairman asked Mr Evans, as proposer of the original motion, to conclude the debate.

• That patterns of work and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56