2.
Supporting
information
Additional loan
purpose
2.1.
The additional purpose for loans to
employees would be for paying a rental deposit and associated costs
such as referencing. The Council is permitted to use its funds for
these purposes and there would be no costs to the organisation
beyond administration of the loans.
2.2.
The terms and conditions of the
scheme would mirror those of the other existing schemes. Notably, a
loan would be offered at 0% interest (of the current schemes, only
vehicle loans – which tend to be of higher value
–attract any interest). As with all other employee loans,
evidence such as a receipt would be required from the employee that
they have used the money for the intended purpose.
2.3.
While the issue which has prompted
these proposals relates to NQSWs, it is recommended that the scheme
is made available to all staff. Whilst recognising that there
are well documented national social worker recruitment and
retention issues, this will also be a tool which could
support recruitment and retention of staff in a range of scenarios,
such as:
·
those who have recently left
full-time education with significant debts
·
those looking to leave the parental
home for the first time to move geographically closer to their
place of work
·
those dealing with the breakdown of
a family unit such as a divorce.
Scheme of Delegation to
Officers
2.4.
The current Scheme of Delegation to
Officers contains the following delegation:
In accordance with the policy of the
County Council to authorise…
e) an employee to use
his/her private vehicle on official business and, in consultation
with the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport and Chief
Operating Officer, to grant applications for loans under the County
Council’s Assisted Car Purchase Scheme.
2.5.
The Assisted Car Purchase Scheme has
been replaced by the opportunity to apply for a loan to purchase a
car under the employee loan policy. In practice, there is no
involvement for the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
or the Chief Operating Officer in the approval of employee car
loans. It is therefore proposed to amend the Scheme of Delegation
to Chief Officers as set out below
|
Current
|
Proposed
|
|
8. In accordance with
the policy of the County Council to authorise…
e)
an employee to use
his/her private vehicle on official business and, in consultation
with the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport and Chief
Operating Officer, to grant applications for loans under the County
Council’s Assisted Car Purchase Scheme
|
8. In accordance with
the policy of the County Council to authorise…
e)
an employee to use
their private vehicle on official business
f)
approval of
applications for loans to employees in accordance with the Employee
Loans Policy
|
3.
Conclusions and
recommendations
3.1.
Introducing the additional purpose
for loans would serve to support the recruitment and retention of
employees across a range of scenarios. It would mirror an existing
set of business processes and as such requires no additional
resourcing.
Kevin
Foster
Chief Operating
Officer, Business Services
Contact
Officers:
Sarah Mainwaring, Head of HR&OD
01273 482060 sarah.mainwaring@eastsussex.gov.uk
Patrick Galpin, HR Consultant 01273
482276 patrick.galpin@eastsussex.gov.uk
