Newcastle Labour

In a motion proposed by Cllr Nick Forbes, Leader of the Labour Group, ruling Lib Dems refused to rule out giving Council contracts to companies with excessive salaries in relation to company revenues and profits.
 
Secretive Lib Dem only Procurement Committee spends millions of pounds a year of taxpayers money with private companies. This motion would have made sure that the Council only dealt with companies that did not have an irreponsible bonus culture.
 
Cllr Nick Forbes said: "I support a High Pay Commission to tackle banking and executive remuneration packages. I have listened to Newcastle residents who are concerned about greedy bankers and the effects their risk taking behaviour has had on our economy and society. With Northern Rock having happened on our doorstep, I thought the Liberals would have shared my view that the Council should start acting to tackle high pay immediately."
 
"The introduction of maximum wage ratios would have meant that the Council could only use companies who had responsible pay policies. Instead the Liberals seem happy to hand out contracts to line the pockets of top bosses."
 
Cllr Henri Murison, who seconded the motion, said: "I was very upset that the Liberals took such a right wing neo-Liberal view. It is disgraceful that, whilst claiming to be against fat cat pay, they are happy to outsource services and use companies that pay irresponsible bonuses to the highest paid."