EASTBOURNE BOROUGH

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 21, 24 July 1931, Page 9

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH

STAFF

CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS

The Eastbourne Borough Council last night decided to make a general reduction of 10 per cent, in the .present wages and salaries of its staff, .with the exception of five lower paid individuals who will not be affected. The cut is not-to reduce the wages (not salary) of any employee to less than, -£i 0s a week. ' 'Pursuant to notice, the Mayor (Mr. S. IVl'isher) moved that a previous resolution of tho council fixing the wages and salaries of the staff for a period of twelve months bo rescinded, and' the motion was carried unanimously. He then moved and it was resolved that the wages and salaries of tho ■ staff be reviewed at the present meeting. On the motion of Councillor C. A. Bendle it was decided that in the: event of any reduction being made in the wages of the borough's employees no wages should be reduced to less than £4 5s a week. The Mayor moved a reduction of 10 per cent, in the wages and salaries of the whole borough staff, subject to the foregoing motion applying to wages, and excepting five individuals. Councillor W. F. Hornig seconded the motion. An ■amendment moved by Councillor Margaret Magill and seconded by Councillor K. W. -Wise that the question of a reduction in the wages and salaries be referred to the Financo Committee and considered by tho' council at its next meeting, was lost. - Councillor Magill moved an amendment that the-.reduction be 5 per cent. She was of tho opinion, and quoted authorities in support of her contention, that tho -way out of tho present financial trouble was not by reducing wages and salaries. The Government in this respect had set a bad lead. She was against any cut, but in the circumstances would agree to a small one. In seconding the amendment, pro forma, Councillor A. Walker defended the action, of the Government, saying that it had been taken to.avoid financial disaster. '• ' ,'n ■ The amendment was lost, and councillor Magill moved a further amendment that the cut be 7* per cent. This was also lost. . . ■ •■ ■ The Mayor's motion was carried, only Councillors -Magill and-Wise dissenting. The cut will operate from Ist August and the position will be reviewed at tho end of tho financial year.. ' A return supplied by the town clerk showed that the amounts paid in wages by the borough were as follow:—Blorough department, approximately £1000 per annum; ferry department, &4800 per annum j bus department, £3700 per annum. Salaries in all departments amounted to £1650, making a total of wages and salaries of £11,200 per annum. ' . ■'■'■_ ■ . ,