The Government has issued a clear warning to councils over the use of four-day working weeks on full pay, raising fresh concerns at South Cambridgeshire District Council who continue paying staff for five days’ pay to work four days a week.
In a letter sent to council leaders across England, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government made it explicit that councils should not be offering “full-time pay for part-time work” and confirmed that such arrangements could be treated as an indicator of potential failure under the Government’s Best Value framework.
Leader of the Opposition at South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Heather Williams said:
“Surely now is the time for the Lib Dems to stop childishly digging their heels in and accept that in the real-world residents, councillors, a Conservative government, a Labour government all think that part-time work for full-time pay is unfair and not giving residents value for money. The last letter said the government was disappointed in the Lib Dems conduct, this letter calls them a failure. This is serious. Can South Cambs really afford for yet another best value notice? Are the Lib Dems not simply giving the government an excuse to take over our council, to take control of local decision making on things like planning?”
“With this next round of best value consultation Lib Dems could be opening us up to financial sanctions from government, from removing our local decision making. They are playing fast and loose with our quality of life in South Cambridgeshire. It’s time for them to start listening to reason. Let’s be clear, them carrying on like this is putting so much at risk and they only have themselves to blame - because they have been warned time and time again. Like residents we think enough is enough.
The Secretary of State confirmed that while councils are independent employers, the current Best Value Guidance remains in force and that councils persisting with four-day week arrangements could face scrutiny, including the possibility of formal intervention where standards fall short.
At a time when residents are facing rising council tax bills and stretched services, residents are deeply concerned that South Cambridgeshire District Council is pressing ahead with an arrangement that the Government itself has flagged as a red warning sign. Concerns have already been raised locally about service responsiveness and availability - residents quite rightly expect value for money and accessible services five days a week.
The Conservative Group at South Cambridgeshire District Council have continuously made the case against the four-day week and are now urging the Lib Dem run administration to urgently reconsider the four-day week, publish transparent evidence of its impact on services, and demonstrate clearly how it is meeting its duty to deliver value for money for local taxpayers.
