Canterbury City Council

Practices: Canterbury encourages employees to put forward ideas to improve procedures. If the employee's idea is implemented they could receive an award of up to £1,000. The chief executive gives a presentation to the staff twice a year and he and the senior management team are available for question time during the staff awayday. The team also gets involved in social and charity events, such as judging the office “best Christmas decorations” competition and the corporate services charter mark. A volunteer scheme within the corporate services department allows staff to spend up to two days a year supporting community projects. The council also has its own chaplain (a member of staff who is qualified as a vicar). The chaplain has arranged a series of faith talks for staff which aim to improve understanding of faiths. The council has a welfare officer to help staff with work and personal issues and there are stress management programmes. Lunchtime health walks are organised, there is a pool of bikes available for short business trips and a salad bar is provided in the staff restaurant. Pay and benefits: Job sharing, home working, compressed hours, flexi time and reduced hours are available to most employees. Employees with a year's service can take an unpaid sabbatical of up to 56 weeks. Benefits include childcare vouchers, subsidised sports facilities and a bicycle purchase scheme. Senior managers receive a free private health examination. A subsidised staff restaurant is also available. For more information on 'The Times Best Councils to Work For 2007' list please visit http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/career_and_jobs/specials/best_councils/