Salaries are reviewed on a national basis in April each year. Salary increments are subject to satisfactory performance. Any increase is effective from the 1 April. Salary increments are subject to satisfactory performance and are also effective from 1 April, however, if a member of staff has less than six months service by 1 April their increment will be six months from their start date.
Annual leave
Annual Leave entitlement
On appointment with no previous Local Government service
23 days
After 1 year at Spelthorne
24 days
After 2 years
25 days
After 3 years
26 days
After 4 years
27 days
After 5 years Spelthorne Service or on appointment with 5 years Local Government Service.
28 days
After 10 years Spelthorne service
29 days
After 15 years Spelthorne service
30 days
Plus in all cases paid leave for bank holidays (pro rata for part time).
Pension scheme
All staff automatically become members of the Local Government Pension Scheme on the day they start, although it is possible to opt out. The scheme provides a range of excellent benefits including a pension based on final salary, life insurance and dependents’ benefits. The scheme is contributory with members contributing 6% of salary.
Flexible working
A flexitime system is in operation to allow staff more freedom to arrange their working hours to suit their individual needs. Other flexible working patterns including job-sharing, part-time working and home working may be available depending on the needs of the service. Whether a post is suitable for flexible working is at the discretion of the Head of Service.
Child Care Vouchers
Tax free Child Care Vouchers are available to staff with children. These allow parents to use the vouchers for any form of childcare which includes registered child care minders, nurseries, after school clubs, nannies and holiday clubs.
Health and well-being
Free periodic medical checks are offered to all staff at the workplace. You may pay for additional specialist tests or to upgrade the medical to a more comprehensive health check if you wish. A regular free eye test is also available to VDU users.
Qualified therapists visit Knowle Green regularly and can offer relexology, reiki and massage to help staff unwind as well as beauty treatments such as manicures and facials.
Spelthorne staff are entitled to free membership of the two multi-purpose Leisure Centres in the Borough. This includes reduced rates at certain times. Both have full-sized swimming pools, gym, beauty suite and sports halls (squash, badminton etc). Free shower facilities are also available for staff at Spelthorne Leisure Centre.
Professional fees
The Council will pay for professional subscriptions needed by the post or service.
Season ticket loan
Interest-free loans are available for season tickets for train and bus travel.
Bicycle loan
Interest-free loans are available for the purchase of a bicycle for use for work purposes and/or travelling to and from work.
Car allowances
These are paid where the postholder is required to use a car for work. Car loans are available to staff eligible for a car allowance. Examples of these allowance are below. Car loans are available to staff eligible for a car allowance.
A casual user car allowance is attached to certain posts and is payable if you need to use your car for occasional Council business. This will pay you a rate per mile for all journeys that you make on Council business. This rate will vary according to the engine size of your car.
An essential user car allownace is attached to certain posts and is payable if you need to use your car for regular Council business. You will receive, in addition to your salary, an essential user car allowance, to reimburse you for the necessity of using your own car for Council business on a regular basis.
There are two elements to this allowance: a lump sum paid in twelve monthly instalments with your salary, and a rate per mile for all business mileage. Both elements vary according to car engine size and are liable to change from time to time.
Sports and Social Club
All employees are automatically members of Spelthorne’s thriving Sports and Social Club. Many events (often greatly subsidised) are organised throughout the year such as quiz nights, sporting events, theatre trips, discos, riverboat trips, dinner dances, BBQs, golf days and day trips to France.
Free car parking at Knowle Green
Parking at the Council Offices, Knowle Green is free to staff.
Spelthorne Borough Council's Relocation Scheme
If you currently live more than 30 miles away from Knowle Green you may be eligible to claim relocation expenses, which include the following;
Removal fees
The Council will pay the lower of two estimates.
Fees
Including legal, building society and estate agent fees, up to a maximum of £7,387 (at April 2007).
Disturbance expenses
Maximum based on 25% of the maximum payable under fees (see above), that is currently £1,846.75
Lodging allowance
Can be claimed to offset expenses incurred while living in temporary accommodation.
Travel allowance
Can be claimed to offset the extra travel costs or mileage incurred by taking up the new appointment.
Mortgage Equalisation Scheme
This is an allowance paid for up to four years to employees who are buying a property. It is based on the difference in house prices, between those in the area from which the new employee is moving and those in the South East, at the time of moving.
Temporary accommodation
The Council does not offer temporary accommodation.
