A COUNCILLOR on North Somerset Council has called on the authority to “set an example” and become a living wage employer.

Speaking at the health and wellbeing board on Wednesday (July 5), Weston-super-Mare Uphill Cllr Helen Thornton said: “One of the biggest issues with health and inequality is low wages.

"One of the things we could do is we could become a living wage council.”

She added: “We could use our contracting ability to encourage organisations all across North Somerset to become living wage employers.”

But children’s services director Sheila Smith said it was “lofty ambitions,” given the council’s budget.

Congresbury and Puxton Cllr Dan Thomas said: “I would like to see what a difference in council budget that would be.”

Members of the board were discussing ways the council factor improving health and wellbeing in all areas of its functions.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Thornton added that Bristol City Council, where she is employed as a member of staff, was already a living wage employer.

She said: “There’s a lot of evidence to say the lower the wages are, the worse your health wellbeing are likely to be.”

She added: “The council could set an example of becoming a living wage employer. But of course the costs will have to be looked into.”