Agenda item

To consider any motions, due notice of which have been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

There was one motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12 as altered under 4.8.14(h) and further accepted amendments.

A)    4 Day Working Week

RESOLVED: That Council resolved:

(1)   Would not implement, trial, experiment, or pilot (or equivalent) a four-day organisational working week during the 2024/25 civic year, and that it will continue to fulfil its statutory obligations, whilst ensuring the provision of cost-effective and efficient delivery of services to residents in North Hertfordshire (acknowledging that employees have the legal right to request flexible or part time working).

(2)   Fully supported the right of local authorities to continue to determine their own working arrangements.

Recording – 6 minutes 46 seconds

There was one motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12 as altered under 4.8.14(h) and further accepted amendments.

A)    4 Day Working Week

The Chair noted that subsequent to the agenda publication there has been two amended Motions published as a supplementary document regarding the Motion proposed by Councillor Ralph Muncer, and to refer to the most recently published version, annotated with ‘as amended with today’s date’

The Chair invited Councillor Ralph Muncer to present the motion, noting that Councillor Ralph Muncer had been granted permission to speak for longer than five minutes on this item. 

Councillor Ralph Muncer proposed the motion as follows:

‘Council resolves that it will not implement, trial, experiment, or pilot (or equivalent) a four-day organisational working week, and that it will continue to support a full organisational working week, thereby enabling this authority to fulfil its statutory obligations, whilst ensuring the provision of cost-effective and efficient delivery of services to residents in North Hertfordshire (acknowledging that employees have the legal right to request flexible or part time working).’

Councillor David Levett seconded the motion.

The Chair advised that there had been an amendment to this motion which was proposed by Councillor Matt Barnes and seconded by Councillor Dominic Griffiths.

Councillor Matt Barnes proposed the amended motion as follows:

‘Council resolves that it will not implement, trial, experiment, or pilot (or equivalent) a four-day organisational working week during the 2024/25 civic year, and that it will continue to fulfil its statutory obligations, whilst ensuring the provision of cost-effective and efficient delivery of services to residents in North Hertfordshire (acknowledging that employees have the legal right to request flexible or part time working).

Council also resolves that it fully supports the right of local authorities to continue to determine their own working arrangements.’

Councillor Dominic Griffiths seconded the motion.

The following Members took part in a debate:

·       Councillor Daniel Marsh

·       Councillor Sam Collins

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

·       Councillor Gerald Morris

·       Councillor Alistair Willoughby

·       Councillor Nigel Mason

·       Councillor Tom Plater

·       Councillor Dominic Griffiths

·       Councillor David Levett

·       Councillor Adam Compton

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

Points raised in the debate included:

·       The four day working week trial in South Cambridgeshire District Council was proving to be successful, with no impact to service levels.

·       North Herts Council should not restrict itself by removing the option of considering a four day working week for staff in the future.

·       Members had a statutory duty to ensure continuous improvement of the Council.

·       The Council faced continual difficulties recruiting staff across all service levels.  One way  to support  staff was to offer flexible and part time working.

·       The Council had a duty to provide value of money and to provide the best possible service to its residents.

Having been proposed and seconded and, following a vote on the amended motion (the proposer and seconder of the original motion having accepted the amended motion), it was:

RESOLVED: That Council:

(1)   Would not implement, trial, experiment, or pilot (or equivalent) a four-day organisational working week during the 2024/25 civic year, and that it will continue to fulfil its statutory obligations, whilst ensuring the provision of cost-effective and efficient delivery of services to residents in North Hertfordshire (acknowledging that employees have the legal right to request flexible or part time working).

(2)   Fully supported the right of local authorities to continue to determine their own working arrangements.