Practices At Aylesbury Vale council in Buckinghamshire, individual and team successes are publicised in the staff magazine, and e-bulletins such as the regular one from the chief executive. One-off financial rewards are sometimes given in recognition of excellent efforts. Also, those who make an outstanding contribution are invited to the chairman's annual civic reception or to the Queen's garden party as a guest of the chairman. Regular interactive forums are held for all managers. In addition, targeted development events such as team challenge days are held, often in partnership with other councils. Environmental activities include major campaigns such as a Save It campaign for saving energy and a Bin It recycling campaign. The council also provides free advice to community groups. For example, the biodiversity team gives advice to farmers on sustainability issues and the equalities advisers give advice on a range of equality and diversity issues. The leader of the council and the chief executive hold regular informal meetings with small groups of staff from across the council and the chief executive has regular informal consultations with staff representatives and union representatives, allowing open and regular dialogue. In addition, a number of events led by the chief executive and the corporate team are held, such as managers' forums and roadshows for all staff. The council runs Planning for the Future workshops to allow staff to assess their priorities midway through their careers. Work shadowing and job rotation also take place and staff are given paid time off to attend external courses and conferences. Extensive one-to-one coaching is available on a range of people management issues and development programmes are in place both for new managers and for people who aspire to be managers. Stress management training is available and the council has a bicycle loan scheme and encourages employees to walk or bike between offices. Pay and benefits Flexible working options include job sharing, home working, compressed and reduced hours, term-time only and school-hours contracts, flexitime and annualised hours. Benefits include performance-related pay, subsidised sports facilities and professional, confidential counselling services.
