Issue - meetings

Report CSD19138

Employee benefits played a vital role in the recruitment and retention of Council staff. At its meeting on 5^th September 2018 the Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee, when considering the contract for employee benefits, had requested that officers look into the possibility of introducing an annual leave purchase scheme.  The report also covered the option of a lease car scheme for all staff at no cost to the Council (separate to the existing and limited scheme) and an increase to the current relocation package available to successful candidates for hard to fill posts. 

In response to questions, officers explained that take up of the lease car scheme could be expected to be around 2% in the first year, rising to around 5-6%, and for annual leave purchasing around 2%, based on experience elsewhere. There were greater savings on Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) as the Government, through HMRC, wanted to encourage use of more environmentally friendly vehicles. The proposals would not allow staff to sell back their leave - this could only happen in very exceptional circumstances or

when staff left the Council.

A Member commented that it was important that staff understood all the financial, tax and pension implications of the car leasing scheme, but the Committee welcomed these proposals to improve Employee benefits.

RESOLVED that the introduction of the following additional and optional employee benefits be approved -

·  salary sacrifice leased cars;

·  annual leave purchasing;

·  an increase to the existing Relocation Package.