South Cambridgeshire District Council – England’s only four-day week council – is suffering from skyrocketing agency (temporary) staff costs.
New data published on the council’s website, submitted to government under the Best Value Notice, shows worrying trends in the Shared Waste service.
The Shared Waste service spent £555,286 on agency staff in 2022/23 – a monthly average of just over £46,000.
But the average monthly spend since 30 October has been over £65,000 – a 40% increase since the four-day week began.
The Lib Dem administration has repeatedly claimed that the four-days’ work for five-days’ pay trial will save the council money on agency staff.
However, the administration’s data would suggest otherwise, with agency spending drastically increasing in the Shared Waste service.
The data is especially concerning because waste crews are not even truly working a four-day, 30-hour week like desk-based staff – instead working 32-hour weeks.
The administration’s difference in approach between types of workers is alarming – and the fact agency staff are still needed to plug the gaps in a waste service already working more than four days a week suggests four-day weeks just do not work for all jobs.
Cllr Heather Williams, Leader of the Conservative Opposition at South Cambs, said:
“I’m incredibly concerned to see that agency staff has increased in the Shared Waste service during the trial – especially given that it is one of the only defences the Lib Dems are offering for their social experiment.
“Given that many in the waste service are already working longer days than those behind a desk on five and six-figure salaries, I’m increasingly worried that not only is the four-day week trial not working well in particular departments, it is also increasing the gap between those on the highest and lowest pay at the council.
“If the Lib Dems aren’t careful, we will see further resentment between different departments and staff as has already been identified in the Bennett Institute’s report.
“Councils should be working to ensure good working conditions for all who work there. This is at complete odds with that.”
