Number of staff ... 459
Male/female ratio ... 34/66
Average age ... 47
Staff turnover ... 17%
Earning £35,000+ ... 18%
www.waverley.gov.uk

Practices At Waverley Borough Council in Surrey, staff who complete a qualification training course are invited to a tea party and their certificates are awarded by the Mayor. Staff who have acted beyond the requirements of their duties receive a letter or flowers from the director or chief executive.

Team leaders are encouraged to address team building and to run team days with their staff. Funding is available to support this. Belbin assessments can be undertaken to provide an insight into how the team operates and interacts.

The council works with the Army to arrange the annual mayor’s challenge for young people, using the Aldershot military assault course. The chief executive and directors operate open-door policies. Dates are advertised when the chief executive is available to see staff without an appointment. The chief executive also set up an online forum where staff could ask questions anonymously. This is now being developed into a blog.

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BACKGROUND

• Best council rules

• Special award winners

Related Internet Links

• Best Councils 2008 table

Waverley offers an in-house Institute of Leadership and Management diploma in management. Staff are mentored by senior staff and their projects address live council issues.

It also offers management learning opportunities via a partnership with the 11 districts in Surrey. This gives managers a chance to network with their colleagues in surrounding areas.

The Online Personal Health Management System is a unique web-based health management tool. It offers advice on fitness, stress management and healthy eating to all council staff. It provides individually tailored support, information and guidance, helping to change employees’ life-styles, improve their fitness and health and control stress levels.

The council also promotes the health and wellbeing of its employees through the staff restaurant – which provides organic, Fairtrade and healthy options – and invites fitness specialists to visit the council offices to provide health checks.

Pay and benefits Flexible working options include job sharing, home working and flexitime. Benefits include a wellness programme and free private healthcare for all employees.

Return to The Best Councils to Work For table

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