Cambridgeshire council says four-day week will be debated next year

Staff at South Cambridgeshire District Council are trialling a four-day week

A council that is trialling a four-day week for staff has promised the controversial issue will be properly debated next year.

South Cambridgeshire District Council, run by the Liberal Democrats, has carried out the trial since January.

The local authority has vetoed a motion by the Conservative opposition, for a full council debate next month.

But Lib Dem leader Bridget Smith said there would be the opportunity once the trial concluded in March 2024.

During a full council meeting on 5 October, questions about the trial costs were raised.

Conservatives claim the trial will cost £3.3m over 12 months because of hours not worked.

Previously the council said the trial was actually saving money.

It expects a £760,000 reduction in agency fees this year. This, it says, is because it has managed to recruit full time staff into vacant roles.

Conservative group leader Heather Williams submitted the motion on Thursday to debate the trial, but in a counter motion, Ms Smith said it should be referred just to the leading cabinet councillors at this stage.

• How widespread could the four-day workweek really be?

• Four-day workweek trial: The firms where it didn't work

• The workers getting 100% pay for 80% of the hours

The trial has been divisive not just in south Cambridgeshire.

The council was threatened with "financial options" by the local government minister Lee Rowley who told the authority he wanted it to end the trial immediately.

Ms Smith told the BBC, that when the trial is finished, the council would consult with residents and "the whole council will have the opportunity to debate and to vote".