A living wage
Free Advice for Flat Owners
This May we became the latest business to sign up to the Brighton & Hove Living Wage campaign . As one of Brighton ’ s larger employers we ’ re keen to support a drive encouraging organisations to voluntarily pay all staff a wage that meets local living costs .
Launched last year , the campaign is based around an amount independently calculated to meet the basic costs of living ; allowing a person to live , rather than just survive . The current rate , which applies across Sussex , is £ 7.45 per hour .
This campaign ties into a wider national drive for a living wage , but cost of living obviously varies across the country , so there is a case for a certain amount of localism .
Paying a living wage has been shown to have benefits across the country , including :
• Lower staff turnover
• Reduced absence and sickness
• Increased morale and higher productivity
As this is a voluntary arrangement there is no strict monitoring . By signing up organisations simply announce publicly that they are paying their staff a minimum of the living wage . They may be held publically accountable should matters change , but the emphasis is on the positive .
The campaign has received cross-party support in the region . Caroline Lucas , Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion , hopes to see many more make a commitment to fair pay . Mike Weatherley , the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade , has said :
“ It stands to reason that businesses will thrive if their staff are motivated and happy , which means paying staff enough to live comfortably . The voluntary living wage campaign highlights this emotive issue with both passion and maturity .”
On 3rd of July we will be holding a free property advice surgery for flat owners in the Brighton Hilton Metropole . Partners Steven Holt and Ian Coombs will be on hand to answer any queries you have on residential block management or extending your lease .
Also on hand will be chartered surveyors Ross & Co who specialise in block management . Call 01273 862295 if you would like to book a free private 20 minute consultation .
New Faces
A big welcome to some more members of the Mayo Wynne Baxter team :
Nick Starbuck joins us as our new Business Development Manager . Nick ’ s role is predominantly to manage our Connect 2 Law scheme and provide support to other law firms .
Tony Ward has filled a newly created role working with the Archive Storage team looking after the millions of documents that we look after for clients .
Another newly created role is that of Practice Support Group Manager and John Gilbert has taken on this mantle . John supports our Practice Director and looks after many of the non-legal aspects of running the firm such as the upkeep of our five offices .
Joanne Sullivan and Georgia Grafton are two new Legal Secretaries who join our growing East Grinstead office .
Nick Starbuck Business Development manager
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