Employee benefits

Pension

West Northants Council (WNC) offer employees a Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). You pay a % based on your salary (before tax) and the Council pays a significant contribution too (currently 16.20%, correct as of January 2023).

If you prefer, you can choose to pay less - where you pay half the normal contribution rate and build up half the normal pension (known as the 50/50 scheme). You can also make additional voluntary contributions.

In addition to a pension when you retire, employees also receive immediate life assurance cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.

Annual leave 

We offer all employees 28 days annual leave per year (pro rata for part time employees), plus bank holidays. This increases to 33 after 5 years’ continuous service. 

We also offer an annual leave holiday purchase scheme: this offers you the chance to buy up to 30 days (FTE) additional leave a year based on your weekly contractual working hours.

You can also apply to take periods of unpaid leave.

Maternity, paternity and adoption leave

We offer enhanced leave for employees with more than over one years’ continuous service.

Volunteering

We offer time off for specific ‘volunteering’ - specifically Special Leave under the Leave Arrangements Policy.

This includes:

• public duties - such as a local authority or relevant health body, School Governor, Magistrate and Member of a statutory tribunal
• Reserve Forces – leave for training
• Reserve Forces – leave for active service (call-up) 
• Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV)

Colleagues can now support the community by taking up to half a day’s special paid leave to donate blood. 

Fostering Friendly 

West Northants Council has been accredited as a foster-friendly employer by the Fostering Network as part of our commitment to offering dedicated policies and support to our employees who foster.

Our HR policy provides staff who foster children and young people extra support in balancing their work and caring responsibilities as part of its acknowledgment of the importance and value of the role for children, young people and families.

Employee lifestyle benefits

You can save hundreds or even thousands of pounds when shopping at local and national retailers – a variety of savings can be made across shopping, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.

We have lots of big-name brands who are participating in our scheme including Haven, Argos, Apple, Primark, iTunes, New Look, John Lewis, AA, VUE, Alton Towers, Legoland, Vets4Pets, Pizza Express and many more (list correct as at January 2023).

Cycle to Work Scheme

More people are commuting by bike than ever before, and for good reason! With improved cycling infrastructure, a wide range of health and environmental benefits, and our new Cycle2Work scheme, commuting on two wheels has never been easier!

Cycle2Work is a government approved salary sacrifice scheme allowing colleagues to loan a new bike and accessories up to the value of £2,000. WNC have partnered with Halfords to offer our colleagues this scheme at various points in the year. 

Please note, this is not available to employees in their probationary period and is subject to purchasing windows.

Car Lease Scheme

Employees looking to buy a new car can take advantage of our Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker. There is no deposit, and the monthly payment is taken directly from your salary, saving you tax and national insurance.

Employees can make big savings through the scheme and take advantage of the motoring package. 

Please note, this is not available to employees in their probationary period.

Professional subscriptions and memberships

If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.

For example, if you work for WNC as a Registered Nurse and are required to be registered with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) we would pay your fees.

Flexible working options 

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all.

We recognise that offering agile and flexible working arrangements can help to increase the diversity of our workforce and improve work life balance for staff, while ensuring our services deliver against our six corporate priorities.

We give staff greater choice and flexibility, wherever possible, in when they work by providing the opportunity to change work pattern (subject to service requirements). This can be done by applying for agile/flexible working arrangements, including part time, job share, term time only, annualised hours and flexi time (dependent on service needs).

Find out more about our future ways of working.

Work locations around West Northamptonshire

We have four hubs in West Northamptonshire - One Angel Square in Northampton, The Guildhall in Northampton, The Forum in Towcester and The Abbey Centre , Daventry.

Secondment opportunities

We know how valuable a secondment opportunity can be, particularly in developing new skills. While you are at your secondment placement, we will maintain regular contact to ensure that you are kept up to date with any changes and developments within your original job role.

Last updated 22 April 2024