Local authority members have backed proposals to have Moray Council accredited as a living wage employer.
The council already pays the required amount to staff directly employed by it. However, the new move would mean that contractors used by the council, primarily social care and construction firms, would also be covered by the pledge.
Yesterday, the authority’s policy and resources committee backed the bid to be accredited, which costs about £1,000 every year.
Authority leader Graham Leadbitter said: “The council is the largest employer in Moray and in that role we have a real leadership responsibility.
“One of our biggest challenges is that we have a low-wage economy. We need to be proactive about progressing ways to put money into the economy.”
However, concerns were raised by opposition Conservative councillors about the move.
Fochabers Lhanbryde councillor Marc Macrae said: “Should we be spending £1,000 on something we are already doing at a time we are saving money?
“It just seems unnecessary.”
Moray Council aims to expand living wage pledge to include contractors
