Rewards and benefits
Cambridgeshire
County Council takes the professional and personal development of all its employees
seriously. As a learning organisation and an Investor in People corporately
accredited employer, we consider that fostering and developing the talent of
employees, at all levels, is essential to secure our future success. As a Head
of Service you will have a leadership role to perform in respect of the development
of the workforce within your area of responsibility and you will be expected
to act as a role model to others with regard to the management of your own
professional and personal development.
Work Life Balance and Location of Work
As a Council, Cambridgeshire recognises that being a Head of Service does not always bring with it a 'normal' working week. The hours you are expected to work are 37 per week. It is recognised that you may need to work more than 37 hours per week to get the job done. However, you are not expected to work more than 48 hours per week.
The Council does expect people to maintain a healthy balance between life and work. Therefore, we proactively encourage and promote flexible working, including home working, with the technology and business infrastructure already in place to enable this from the first day that you join us.
The post is based at Shire Hall, Cambridge. Cambridge railway station is approximately 50 minutes travel from King's Cross or 1hr 20 minutes from London Liverpool Street stations. The park and ride services and other public transport arrangements in and around Cambridge make the Shire Hall site readily accessible.
Personal and Professional Development
Training and Development is a high priority in the Council. Your personal and professional development are key to enhancing your skills and the Council’s performance. You will have an annual appraisal and will work to a jointly agreed personal development plan.
Salary
Your performance will be assessed annually in accordance with the County Council’s performance management framework, and is linked to your salary progression. Full details will be discussed with you on appointment.
Sick Leave and Pay
You are entitled to contractual sick leave and pay as determined as follows:
Length of Service: |
Full Pay |
Half Pay |
During 1st year of service |
1 month |
(After 4 months service) 2 months |
During 2nd year of service |
2 months |
2 months |
During 3rd year of service |
4 months |
4 months |
During 4th and 5th years of service |
5 months |
5 months |
After 5 years of service |
6 months |
6 months |
You must report all absence due to sickness. Details of what you must do if you are unfit to work will be provided as a part of the contract of employment for the successful candidate.
Leave
The basic annual leave entitlement is 28 working days per leave year, increasing to a maximum of 30 days, which operates from 1st April to 31st March the following year.
There is an entitlement to two extra-statutory holidays and one day's concessionary holiday, which have already been added to the annual leave entitlement.
Pension
You become a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) automatically from your first day of employment, unless you elect to opt-out of the scheme. The LGPS is a statutory funded, defined benefits pension scheme. Cambridgeshire County Council acts as an administering authority for the LGPS within Cambridgeshire for over 136 separate employing organisations, including the County Council itself. Further details relating to the LGPS will be provided to the appointed candidate or in discussion during the final stages of the selection process, if required.
Probationary Period
The Council's Probation Policy applies to all new Cambridgeshire County Council employees, including those voluntarily transferring from another local authority, who are required to serve a probation period of six months, during which their standard of performance, general conduct and attendance will be closely monitored. New employees will be given appropriate induction and training to ensure that they are aware of what is expected of them, and line managers will meet with them regularly to discuss their progress and any problems they may have.
In accordance with the Council's Probation Policy, employees who do not meet the required competency levels (in terms of skills, knowledge, attendance, and behaviour) by the end of the probation period will have their contracts terminated.
Period of Notice
The length of notice required to terminate this contract is three months by either side unless the reason for termination falls within the provisions of the Council's disciplinary procedures (summary dismissal) or probation policy (one months’ notice).
Code of Conduct
Cambridgeshire County Council expects the highest standards of integrity and ethics to be adhered to by all employees, both in and outside normal working hours. A copy of the Code of Conduct will be sent out to the successful candidate along with the contract of employment.
Confidentiality/Fidelity
The relationship between you and the Council is founded on trust. Any breach of this trust, i.e. unauthorised disclosure to a third party of any confidential information, will result in disciplinary action being taken against you.
Political Restriction
This is a politically restricted post under the terms of the Local Government and Housing Act, 1989.
Relocation Scheme
Cambridgeshire County Council operates a formal discretionary scheme for relocation assistance support up to a maximum of £8,000. The full details of the scheme are outlined in the County Council’s Relocation Policy.
Additional Benefits
We have an ever-increasing range of personal benefits - including options for Healthcare, Childcare, Gym Membership, Car Loans and membership of the CamCard staff benefits card – providing discounts for employees on a wide range of local facilities, goods and services.
