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There was submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillors Harte and J Sharkey in the following terms:
"This Council adopts the Construction Charter outlined in Appendix A"
"APPENDIX A
RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL’S CONSTRUCTION CHARTER
As a Local Authority we either directly procure, or are the planning authority, for a multitude of construction projects. It is our intention to promote and support positive workforce practices involving
"Direct Employment" on all construction projects where we procure on behalf of the residents under this authority. We expect all construction companies who secure contacts on these projects within our boundaries to fully comply with this charter.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of all workers is paramount. Construction is a dangerous industry. We expect all contractors to ensure that:
-
Health and safety regulations and standards are rigorously implemented and adhered to,
- Welfare facilities for construction workers are appropriate for the 21st Century, including reasonable standards for toilets, amenities and drying facilities in accordance with the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2015.
The Scottish Future Trust’s Non Profit Distributing (NPD) programme alternatively known as HUBCO’s was developed to deliver infrastructure projects for the Scottish Government. As such, they must include proper local community benefits, in particular local jobs and apprenticeships and help local SME’s develop the capacity to take on those infrastructural projects. The Scottish Government should work with Renfrewshire Council to produce strong and clear guidelines on Community Benefit Clauses for externally awarded contracts through HUBCOs and that those contracts uphold the working practices contained herein.
Employment and skills
We require the highest standards of project delivery in order to ensure that Renfrewshire people’s aspirations are met and the projects serve our communities well in the years to come. We are also mindful of the projected skills shortage across the sector and wish to work with the industry to train the next generation of skilled workers for the future. We therefore encourage, and will require where appropriate, all contactors to:
- Be able to demonstrate the skill level of their employees on the project by ensuring appropriate checks are carried out by contractors,
- Comply with the employment and skills requirements set out in our tender documents, promoting and encouraging full apprenticeships,
- Prioritise hard to reach and underrepresented groups in employment, training and skills initiatives,
- Work with us to support initiatives aimed at promoting and improving opportunities in education and training of employers and employees engaged on all construction projects within our authority.
Pay and Benefits
This Council is also a Living Wage employer and will encourage that all construction companies working on their contacts will adhere to that policy where workers are not directly connected to industry collective agreements then the living wage is a minimum standard and we will promote and encourage that those companies are registered with the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative.
We also expect that all employees, and encourage that all workers, should have access to:
- Paid holiday
- A sickness benefit scheme
- A pension scheme
- Accident compensation
- Death in service benefits
Employment rights
This Council expects direct employment by contractors and sub contractors on a PAYE Class 1 National Insurance basis. We believe that Trade Unions play an important role in creating a safe and productive worksite and developing good industrial relations. We therefore expect our contractors, within the context of the contract let, to:
- Employ workers under recognised industry collective agreements as set out in SJIB, SNIJB, BESA, CIJC, NAECI and TICA or other EU equivalent,
- Promote the benefits of belonging to a recognised Trade Union,
- Recognise on-site Shop Stewards as having an important role to play in achieving and promoting good industrial relations,
- Ensure that the Trade Union has input into the development of Health and Safety policy (to ensure members' priorities are reflected),
- Actively promote the election of Health and Safety Representatives and support their role in helping to ensure a safe site,
- Provide equality and opportunity for all,
- Be able to certify that they have not engaged in the practice of blacklisting workers for any reason.
This Council also supports the Get Britain Building campaign which is aimed at supporting and sustaining the construction the construction industry in Great Britain. Consequently, we seek to maximise the building materials used on council construction projects that are covered by BES6001 Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products Certificate or equivalent.
Renfrewshire Council looks forward to working with contractors to help them support the aims set out in this Charter”.
Councillor Harte, seconded by Councillor J Sharkey, then moved the motion.
Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor McGurk, moved as an amendment that this Council adopts and implements the Construction Charter as attached:
"Construction Charter.
Renfrewshire Council procures a wide range of construction projects. It is our intention to adopt and expect all organisations tendering for work, and on behalf of Renfrewshire Council to promote and support this Charter.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of all workers is paramount. Construction is a dangerous
Industry. We expect all contractors to ensure that:
• Health and safety standards are rigorously implemented and adhered to,
• Welfare facilities for construction workers are appropriate for the 21st Century,
Including reasonable standards for toilets, mess and drying facilities.
Employment and skills
We require the highest standards of project delivery in order to ensure that the aspirations of this Council are met and the projects serve our communities well in the years to come. We are also mindful of the projected skills shortage across the
sector and wish to work with the industry to train the next generation of skilled
workers for the future. We therefore encourage, and will require where appropriate,
all contractors to:
• Be able to demonstrate the skill level of their employees on the project by
ensuring appropriate checks are carried out by contractors,
• Comply with the employment and sills requirements set out in our tender
Documents, promoting and encouraging apprenticeships to an NVQ Level 3
standard wherever possible,
• Prioritise hard to reach and under represented groups in employment and skills
Initiatives,
• Work with us to support initiatives aimed at promoting and improving
opportunities in education and training of employers and employees engaged on
all construction projects within our authority.
Pay and benefits
Renfrewshire Council is a living wage employer and believes that all workers should be fairly rewarded for their efforts. We will promote and encourage companies to be registered with the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative We also expect that all employees, and encourage that all workers, should have access to:
• Paid holiday,
• A sickness benefit scheme,
• A pension scheme,
• Accident compensation,
• Death in service benefits.
Employment rights
Renfrewshire Council expects direct employment by contractors wherever possible.
We believe that Trade Unions play an important role in creating a safe and productive work site and developing good industrial relations. We therefore expect our contractors, within the context of the contract let, to:
• Employ workers under recognised industry collective agreements as set out in
JIB, JIB-PMES, HVAC, CIJC, NAECI and TICA or other EU equivalent,
• assist in promoting the benefits of belonging to a recognised Trade Union,
• Recognise on-site Shop Stewards as having an important role to play in
achieving and promoting good industrial relations,
• Ensure that the Trade Union (s) have input into the development of Health and Safety policy (to ensure members’ priorities are reflected),
• actively promote the election of Health and Safety Representatives and support
Their role in helping to ensure a safe site,
• Provide equality and opportunity for all,
• be able to certify that they have not engaged in the practice of blacklisting
Workers for any reason.
Renfrewshire Council looks forward to working with contractors to help them support the aims set out in this Charter.”
On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Paterson, Lawson, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McGurk, Cameron, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, McQuade and Nicolson.
The following members voted for the motion: Councillors B Brown, Murrin, M Devine, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Glen, Henry, M Macmillan, McCartin, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall and Councillors Holmes, Harte and Mullin.
13 members having voted for the amendment and 21 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.
DECIDED: That Council adopts the Construction Charter outlined in Appendix A
"Appendix A
Renfrewshire Council's Construction Charter
As a Local Authority we either directly procure, or are the planning authority, for a multitude of construction projects. It is our intention to promote and support positive workforce practices involving
"Direct Employment" on all construction projects where we procure on behalf of the residents under this authority. We expect all construction companies who secure contacts on these projects within our boundaries to fully comply with this charter.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of all workers is paramount. Construction is a dangerous industry. We expect all contractors to ensure that:
- Health and safety regulations and standards are rigorously implemented and adhered to,
- Welfare facilities for construction workers are appropriate for the 21st Century, including reasonable standards for toilets, amenities and drying facilities in accordance with the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2015.
The Scottish Future Trust’s Non Profit Distributing (NPD) programme alternatively known as HUBCO’s was developed to deliver infrastructure projects for the Scottish Government. As such, they must include proper local community benefits, in particular local jobs and apprenticeships and help local SME’s develop the capacity to take on those infrastructural projects. The Scottish Government should work with Renfrewshire Council to produce strong and clear guidelines on Community Benefit Clauses for externally awarded contracts through HUBCOs and that those contracts uphold the working practices contained herein.
Employment and skills
We require the highest standards of project delivery in order to ensure that Renfrewshire people’s aspirations are met and the projects serve our communities well in the years to come. We are also mindful of the projected skills shortage across the sector and wish to work with the industry to train the next generation of skilled workers for the future. We therefore encourage, and will require where appropriate, all contactors to:
• Be able to demonstrate the skill level of their employees on the project by ensuring appropriate checks are carried out by contractors,
• Comply with the employment and skills requirements set out in our tender documents, promoting and encouraging full apprenticeships,
• Prioritise hard to reach and underrepresented groups in employment, training and skills initiatives,
• Work with us to support initiatives aimed at promoting and improving opportunities in education and training of employers and employees engaged on all construction projects within our authority.
Pay and benefits
This Council is also a Living Wage employer and will encourage that all construction companies working on their contacts will adhere to that policy where workers are not directly connected to industry collective agreements then the living wage is a minimum standard and we will promote and encourage that those companies are registered with the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative.
We also expect that all employees, and encourage that all workers, should have access to:
• Paid holiday,
• A sickness benefit scheme,
• A pension scheme,
• Accident compensation,
• Death in service benefits.
Employment rights
This Council expects direct employment by contractors and sub contractors on a PAYE Class 1 National Insurance basis. We believe that Trade Unions play an important role in creating a safe and productive worksite and developing good industrial relations. We therefore expect our contractors, within the context of the contract let, to:
• Employ workers under recognised industry collective agreements as set out in SJIB, SNIJIB, BESA, CIJC, NAECI and TICA or other EU equivalent,
• Promote the benefits of belonging to a recognised Trade Union,
• Recognise on-site Shop Stewards as having an important role to play in achieving and promoting good industrial relations,
• Ensure that the Trade Union has input into the development of Health and Safety policy (to ensure members’ priorities are reflected),
• Actively promote the election of Health and Safety Representatives and support their role in helping to ensure a safe site,
• Provide equality and opportunity for all,
• Be able to certify that they have not engaged in the practice of blacklisting workers for any reason.
This Council also supports the Get Britain Building campaign which is aimed at supporting and sustaining the construction the construction industry in Great Britain. Consequently, we seek to maximise the building materials used on council construction projects that are covered by BES6001 Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products Certificate or equivalent.
Renfrewshire Council looks forward to working with contractors to help them support the aims set out in this Charter."