Working in the Council

Up to £8,000 relocation expenses

Get some help with relocation expenses, which can go some way towards costs incurred by moving to the area either towards temporary, interim accommodation or relocation to a permanent residence. 

Competitive salaries

We have a transparent pay structure to ensure that all employees are paid for their job responsibilities. 

Where your work pattern involves evenings and weekends, you will receive an enhancement of pay.

Generous pension scheme

All employees will be eligible to join either the Local Government Pension Scheme or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme depending on your role.

Both schemes offer a secure pension where you receive tax relief on your pension contributions, along with flexibilities to pay more contributions and financial security for your family with life cover.

Members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) now have access to a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution (Shared Cost AVC) scheme. Shared Cost AVCs are a cost-efficient way to top up your pension pot, where you can benefit from Income Tax and National Insurance contribution savings.

Generous annual leave entitlement

All employees receive a minimum of 25 days annual leave per year (this amount is pro-rata for part time staff). After five years of consecutive service in local government, your leave entitlement rises to 30 days per annum.

You also have the opportunity to buy up to 10 days additional leave each year.

There are also a range of provisions for special leave, such as being a School Governor, undertaking electoral duties or a member of the armed forces.

Family Friendly Policies

There are specialist schemes in places for maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Flexible working arrangements

The council supports flexible working opportunities wherever the needs of service provision allow. This could include part-time working, compressed hours etc.

We also use mobile technology that allows you to work from a variety of sites or at home to increase flexibility and reduce travelling time.

Our new hybrid working policy and flexitime scheme offers employees some choice where and when duties are undertaken to meet the needs of the service.

Mileage allowance

The council’s agreed business mileage rate is 47p per mile, which is above the HMRC rate.  

Discounted Car Parking across the county borough 

Employees can obtain a car pass which can be used between Monday and Sunday in one of several long stay car parks across the county borough (minimum payment currently £10 per month). Entry into and out of the scheme is optional. 

Health and wellbeing support

We are committed to promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees.

We will provide you access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes services, such as a confidential counselling line available 24/7 and support specialists for a range of different issues.

We also offer training on a range of topics that can impact your wellbeing and promote health initiatives via a monthly newsletter.

Staff benefits and salary sacrifice schemes

All council employees have access to our exclusive savings and benefits website, Brivilege, which hosts a range of discounts for national and local retailers including cashback, discount cards and offers – helping you to help your salary go further.

We also host a range of salary sacrifice schemes allowing you to purchase goods and make savings on your tax and national insurance contributions including cycle 2 work and for some employee lease cars.

All employees can sign up for discounted leisure membership to access leisure centres across the county borough.

Training and development opportunities

We offer a wide range of learning opportunities and resources. These include online learning, internal and external courses and access to qualifications.

We encourage and support our employees to manage their learning and pursue opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and experience.

Discounted membership at leisure centres

All employees can sign up for Halo Leisure membership for the discounted rate of £25.85/month, which gives you unlimited access to the following at Halo leisure centres across the county borough:

• Gyms
• Swimming pools
• Spa
• Indoor climbing wall
• Group exercise classes
• Access to halo@home

Staff recognition

Compliments, achievements and awards are recognised/celebrated and promoted through management arrangements as well as through staff messages, newsletters and the staff magazine. 

The council also has a loyalty award policy which recognises that the efficient and quality services it provides to the people and communities of the county borough is dependent on the contribution, effort and loyalty of staff. 

A financial award is therefore payable at retirement/resignation to those employees with a minimum of 20 years continuous local government service with our council (or predecessor council).

Reimbursement of professional fees

The council recognises that for certain posts it is essential that employees are qualified members of a professional body who require them to maintain their expertise through continuing professional development. 

In some cases, this is a statutory requirement. By paying professional or registration fees the council demonstrates its commitment to employees by encouraging the improvement of professional development and maintaining professional credibility.