A GWENT council leader has ruled out a four-day week for staff that was suggested at a council which shares its chief executive.
Torfaen council’s Labour leader was asked if the authority was considering making a change following reports a shorter working week could be examined by Blaeanau Gwent council.
Both authorities agreed earlier this year to appoint Stephen Vickers as their shared chief executive.
Independent councillor for Blaenavon Janet Jones asked at Torfaen council’s March meeting if the authority was also considering a four-day week, following reports a councillor in Blaenau Gwent had urged its authority to research the potential benefits.
Torfaen leader Anthony Hunt replied: “There are no plans to implement a four-day week at Torfaen council. We’ve just appointed Stephen Vickers as joint chief executive with Blaenau Gwent and working for me, and Steve Thomas (Blaenau Gwent leader) he’s working about a 10-day week.”
Cllr Hunt said there would be “many challenges” to a four-day week including how services could be provided over a full week.
He said the shared chief executive is intended to make savings and the councils are looking at workforce strategies, including how they attract and retain staff.
Cllr Jones, who has also noted Bron Afon Community Housing has taken part in a four-day week pilot, said Cllr Hunt “shared my concerns”.
Blaenau Gwent was asked to research the practice in February by Labour member Keith Chaplin thought its Labour cabinet said it wasn’t supported and would require further consideration.
Deputy leader Helen Cunningham pointed to the workforce strategies being considered along with Torfaen.
South Cambridgeshire District Council started trialing a four day working week from January 2023 for a three month period.
Later that year it agreed to extend the trial for a further year.
The idea is staff do all of their normal weekly work in four days and the salary remains the same as it would be for a five day week.
Independent research from the Universities of Cambridge and Salford published last summer said that key performance indicators (KPI) for South Cambridgeshire had improved or remained the same in 22 of 24 areas.