South Cambridgeshire District Council has seen off the naysayers after it’s controversial – they would claim innovative – four day week was shortlisted for a national local government award. It is one of six local authorities – coincidentally Cambridgeshire County Council is another – shortlisted for ‘best wellbeing innovation’ at the 2nd Local Government Chronicle Workforce Awards.
South Cambs is commended for its staff wellbeing which the judging criteria says is “essential for the happy and productive teams needed to deliver vital council services”.
The council had to show evidence of actions and activities delivered that were designed to improve staff wellbeing – including how they overcame obstacles to their approach.
In 2023 South Cambridgeshire District Council became the first local authority in the country to trial a four-day week.
The council says this was in response to concerns “about the health and wellbeing of our colleagues, alongside acute recruitment, and retention challenges.
“After a yearlong trial, we saw a dramatic improvement across the board in our health and wellbeing data, signifying happier, healthier colleagues who feel more supported by, and committed to, the organisation.
“We also saw marked improvements in our recruitment and retention figures, and have been able to maintain our overall performance, demonstrating the trial’s overall success”.
Best wellbeing innovation
Shortlist
- Calderdale MBC, Wellbeing is more than just fruit on the table
- Cambridgeshire CC, Wellbeing, and support for all
- South Cambridgeshire DC, Four-Day Week trial
- Stockport MBC, Wellbeing Champions
- Waltham Forest LBC
- West Northamptonshire Council, Virtual Walking Challenge – River Nene: Source to Sea!
At its most recent meeting South Cambridgeshire District Council welcomed the results of the council’s 4-day trial which they described as a “significant success”.
Council leader Bridget Smith spoke out about the “appalling politicisation of the trial under the former Conservative government.
“Internationally, the mounting body of evidence for a four-day week is becoming impossible for people and even governments to ignore and we have seen in our report the work we have done here adds meaningfully to this debate.
“I know that I have personally struggled with the amount of revolting vitriol we have been subjected to from the right-wing press and the entirely politically motivated, culture-war attacks and threats from the last government. I sincerely hope that now we have a new government this is a situation that we will never ever see again.”
Separately, the council’s administration has written to the new MHCLG Minister Jim McMahon MP requesting that the best value notice and threats of sanctions issued by the Conservatives be formally lifted.
The full report considered by council, along with any appendixes can be found here: Agenda for Council on Thursday, 18 July 2024, 2.00 p.m. (moderngov.co.uk)
