Four-day week supported by second council

Some staff at Cambridge City Council, who work in planning and waste services, have been working a four day week

A council has voted to allow staff it shares with a neighbouring authority to work a four-day week for full pay.

Liberal Democrat-run South Cambridgeshire District Council permanently adopted the four-day working pattern for its workers last week.

It shares services such as planning and waste collection with Labour-run Cambridge City Council.

Cambridge City Council voted to make the change permanent for its shared workers at a full council meeting on Thursday.

South Cambridgeshire District Council has already voted in favour of the four-day week work pattern

Cameron Holloway, leader of Cambridge City Council, told the meeting he "applauded" South Cambridgeshire's "innovative and effective approach" to the recruitment problems both councils faced.

He also said more than 99% of household bins had been collected on time during the trial and the percentage of household planning applications determined on time has increased from 75% at the start of the trial to about 95%.

Green councillor Hugh Clough was the only one to raise concerns, citing problems to do with planning in his ward.

Thirty-six councillors voted in favour of the motion, one voted against it and one abstained.

Leader of Cambridge City Council, Cameron Holloway, supports the move to a four-day week

South Cambridgeshire District Council became the first local authority in the country to vote to formally adopt a four-day week working pattern.

Under the scheme, staff work 80% of their hours for 100% of their salary.

Typically they either have Monday or Friday off, but are still expected to complete all of their tasks in the hours they do work.

The working pattern had to be agreed with Cambridge City Council before it could be fully implemented.

In the trial, which began in 2023, staff from both authorities in the planning and waste collection departments worked the four-day week pattern.

The Conservative group at South Cambridgeshire opposed the change, as did the previous Conservative government.

The council was issued with a "Best Value" notice in November 2023.

It was dropped by the Labour government in November.