Having previously declared a prejudicial interest, Councillor Moira McLaughlin vacated the room during consideration of this item (minute 18 refers).

Tony Williams, Assistant Director: HR and Organisational Development, introduced a report which set out the issues and implications relating to the implementation of a homeworking allowance and which also set out the detail and eligibility criteria should the Policy and Resources Committee agree to implement an allowance.

The Council had moved to a hybrid working model where significant numbers of staff would have the option to work at home regularly combined with some attendance at offices and site visits as required.

The Trade Unions had requested that the Council formally consider the implementation of a homeworking allowance for staff. It was appropriate that this request was considered by the Policy and Resources Committee.

There was no obligation for the Council as an employer to pay a homeworking allowance or meet any costs of homeworking that might be incurred by employees. As such, senior officers’ position had been to maintain the position currently adopted, which was to signpost employees to apply to claim tax relief from HMRC. There was no cost to the Council for this and all employees could apply. Additionally, any staff who had concerns about the cost of homeworking could choose to work from a Council building.

An appendix to the report set out a proposed homeworking allowance policy, addressing the varying complexities in introducing such an allowance, including eligibility criteria.

The cost to the Council was difficult to predict precisely but for modelling purposes, a calculation based on 50% of employees at Band H or below who could work at home, claiming 3 days a week homeworking allowance for 46 weeks a year, would cost £80k per annum. This equated to around £165 per annum per employee.

Responding to comments from Members, Tony Williams stated that staff had not been surveyed as to the take up of the HMRC allowance and negotiations were still ongoing between employers and Trades Unions with regard to the current pay claim. The Council was able to reach local agreements which might differ from what was agreed nationally and this wouldn’t fall foul of any NJC national bargaining arrangements. There were a mix of local and national terms and conditions currently in place.

Members expressed opposing views as to whether an allowance should be paid or not. Some Members suggesting that the proposed allowance not be paid but that this could be reviewed after national pay negotiations had been resolved.

On a motion by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, seconded by Councillor Julie McManus, it was –

Resolved (8:6) – That a homeworking allowance be paid on the basis of the draft policy and eligibility criteria detailed in the report and appendix, subject to a review at a later date after national pay negotiations had been resolved.