Practices: The council has a green travel plan and encourages car sharing and a bike loan scheme. It is currently developing its “Eureka” scheme to give cash awards to staff who have come up with efficiency and improvement ideas.

The chief executive has visited every service area and team, and has taken part in some of the work to get to know staff and what they do. He publishes “Chief Brief”, a regular newsletter to all staff on what is happening in the council.

The council’s qualification sponsorship policy enables it to pay up to 100 per cent of course fees so that employees can study or gain a work-related qualification. Coaching and learning modules are provided for managers and delegates going through the leadership development programme are mentored.

As well as private health insurance, there is a cash-back health scheme and an occupational health referral scheme. A new initiative encourages staff to participate in lunchtime walks to learn about conservation.

Pay and benefits: Some flexible working is provided including job sharing and working from home. Unpaid sabbaticals of 52 weeks are also available. Around 20 staff and councillors have homeworking kit in their homes. In addition, many staff use laptops to work when away from the office and there is a web-based portal so staff can access e-mail and intranet from home. The council enhances paternity pay, free private healthcare is available to some employees, childcare vouchers, car and bicycle loans and subsidised sports facilities are available to all employees as is subsidised healthcare. There is a subsidised staff restaurant.

www.westoxon.gov.uk

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