FORGET BUREAUCRATS IN grey suits, Fenland District Council is leading the charge to change the face of British local government. Staff form one team bringing together varying backgrounds and skills with the will to make a difference in their north Cambridgeshire communities. Managers at the council help staff to fulfil their potential, our employee survey finds, with a positive score of 70%, in sixth place among mid-sized charities and public sector bodies. People say their jobs are good for personal growth (78%) and there is a strong sense of family (73%). Both scores are in the top 10 on our list. The workforce of 610 people serves the market towns of Chatteris, March, Whittlesey and Wisbech. The economic climate is creating some concern about the future (just 22% positive) and job security (41%) following a total of 14 redundancies in the past year, 10 of them compulsory. However, staff do not believe Wellbeing is compromised. Survey answers in this category are the council's highest factor ranking (68%, and in eleventh place overall). Flexible working options include job-sharing, home working, compressed hours and flexitime. Career breaks and sabbaticals are available to all. A health improvement co-ordinator helps employees to quit smoking, eat better, lose weight and manage stress. Few report stress (75%, ranking fourth). To augment in-house training there is a budget earmarked for supporting employees who want to study for external qualifications. All applicants have to do is write a convincing business case. Staff say their work is stimulating (77%, in eighth place). There is no budget for purely social events but fun comes in the form of team-building, a staff awards gala and parties to celebrate triumphs. People say colleagues go out of their way to be helpful and are fun to work with (both 80% and top 10 rankings). fenland.gov.uk
