Conservatives have vowed to ban four-day weeks in local authorities – reviving value for money for taxpayers.
South Cambridgeshire District Council trialled a four-day week between January 2023 and March 2024. Despite the trial ending in March, however, the Lib Dem administration is continuing the four-day week by stealth.
Council staff continue to work four days a week – working part-time hours for full-time pay.
In November 2023, the government issued a Best Value Notice to the council over concerns that taxpayers were not getting value for money under the four-day week.
A second Best Value Notice was issued in May 2024, showing serious concerns still remain.
This new pledge by the Conservatives will ensure taxpayers finally get value for money again from their council. Residents are paying for five days’ work – so should be getting give days’ work, not four.
Cllr Heather Williams, Leader of the Conservative Opposition at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said:
“I’m very pleased to see our party taking such a stand as they have done throughout this whole debacle.
“The fact that I am still unable to tell residents when I will get a vote and that 80% of councillors have not had a vote is shameful.
“The Lib Dems are gambling with our council by letting this carry on by stealth and in the utter face of all the opposition.
“This needs to stop. I have residents who are seriously struggling because of the way that the South Cambs Lib Dems are running the council. The wasting of our money needs to stop. The four-day week must end.”
