Issue - meetings

To receive a discussion paper on Salary Sacrifice Schemes.

IT WAS AGREED: That the discussion paper on Salary Sacrifice Schemes be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Committee to consider the discussion paper on Salary Sacrifice Schemes.

Audio Recording – 1 Hour 33 Minutes 4 Seconds

The Senior Human Resources Manager presented the Strategic Discussion Paper – Salary Sacrifice Schemes and advised as follows:

·                A Salary sacrifice or salary exchange scheme was where an employee has agreed to exchange part of their salary in order to obtain a non-cash benefit from their employer;

·                Prior to 2017, the Council offered a number of benefits under the salary sacrifice scheme;

·                Childcare vouchers had now ceased but were available to employees still within the scheme;

·                Halfords Cycle2work Scheme was a live benefit;

·                Buying more Annual Leave was a benefit that was being looked into.

The following Members asked questions and entered into a brief discussion on the subject of buying and selling annual leave;

·                Councillor Keith Hoskins;

·                Councillor Claire Strong; and

·                Councillor Kate Aspinwall.

In response to questions raised, the Corporate Human Resources Manager, the Unison Representatives and the Service Director – Resources advised the following:

·                Selling Annual Leave was not something that would be recommended as it was important for Staff to take time out of work;

·                Staff were encouraged to use their Annual Leave entitlement;

·                It may not be affordable to sell back annual leave.

IT WAS AGREED: That the discussion paper on Salary Sacrifice Schemes be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Committee to consider the discussion paper on Salary Sacrifice Schemes.