South Cambridgeshire District Council’s former Best Value Notice on the four-day week trial was condemned by current leader Bridget Smith, who called it a “fruitless attempt to stoke up a culture war.” Smith was pleased that the formal notice, which was initiated by the previous Conservative government, did not get reissued by the current Labour government.
At a local council meeting, opposition councillors expressed their concerns about residents’ “palpable anger” and claimed that staff may have taken on second jobs. It was refuted by the council that any employee had started a second job since the trial began. The Best Value Notice by the Conservative government requested that the council demonstrate it was offering value to taxpayers by introducing four-day weeks. This is an 80% work week for staff, working for the same pay. The council’s aim behind the trial was to recognise the recruitment and retention issues within staff, including the boosts to productivity and wellbeing.
Smith spoke about the Best Value Notice that seems to be politically motivated and reactionary, calling it a fruitless attempt to stoke up a culture war. She claimed that in the maintenance of high productivity, motivation, and quality services to residents, the political aspect should be removed. Smith also hopes that whilst waiting for government clarification on a financial settlement for 2025-2026, the authority can implement feedback through consultation.
Opposition councillors have continued to raised concerns around second jobs, value for money for residents, and conflict of interest, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Independent councillor Daniel Lentell expressed concerns that staff would take on second jobs during their non-working day or “sell back” their services. Conservative Richard Williams, meanwhile, supported Lentell’s motion
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