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Benefits of working for the Council


Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met. 

Please be aware the flexible working policy does not apply to school based employees. It is also limited within the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

Cornwall Council's full-time working hours are 37 per week.

A few examples of our flexible working opportunities are:

  • Annualised Hours.
    Available where there are seasonal variations in demand
  • Compressed Hours.
    For example, full contracted hours spread over a 9 day fortnight instead of 10 days
  • Core Hours and flexi time.
    The ability to flex working hours around core times
  • Job share.
    When two employees share the responsibilities of a full post
  • Part time working.
    For example, for family friendly/ caring reasons
  • Term Time only.
    Working during schools terms only
  • Flexible work settings
    For example, partnership buildings or hot desking across the Council
  • Home working.
    All I.T. equipment and access will be arranged by our Information Services team.
  • Reasonable adjustments.
    For those applicants who are disabled, reasonable adjustments can be accommodated to support:
    • the application
    • shortlisting
    • interview process.

You can see some examples of reasonable adjustments. 

Our core employee rewards and benefits include:

  • a competitive salary. Cornwall Council pays employees a minimum of the Living Wage Foundation rate. (Excludes some training roles or placements)
  • a defined benefit pension scheme, based on your career average earnings. This includes the option for extra voluntary contributions (*)
  • 26 days* annual leave per year (pro-rata), rising to 29 days after five years continuous service. Plus: 
    • bank holidays
    • ability to buy extra annual leave
    • family friendly leave
    • pay and working arrangements 
  • payment of relevant professional fees
  • car salary sacrifice scheme
  • relocation scheme (for certain roles)
  • relevant learning and development opportunities
  • A national award winning employee health and wellbeing programme
  • Unlimited paid time off for employees who require fertility investigations and treatment. The Council is accredited as the first ‘Fertility Friendly’ Local Authority in the UK. This is from the organisation Fertility Matters at Work
  • An employee assistance programme (EAP) and access to confidential counselling
  • A volunteering scheme allowing 2 days paid volunteering days per year
  • Coaching and mentoring schemes for staff

We have an employee voluntary benefits scheme called One and All Employee Benefits. This gives employees access to a wide range of discounts to local and national goods and service. Including a salary sacrifice scheme for tech products and cycle to work.

Our commitment is to improve employee engagement and support with many initiatives, including:

  • employee network forums where staff can meet and discuss topics relevant to them;
    • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning
    • Employee Disability
    • Women's
    • Race Equality
    • Early Careers Network
    • Men's Forum
    • Armed Forces Forum
    • Fertility cafés
  • a new employee performance management and development process
  • an employee recognition scheme
  • an employee suggestion scheme

We are always developing our employee rewards and benefits package. As well as this we give you the opportunity to develop your career with Cornwall’s largest employer. Coupled with the chance to live in one of the country’s most beautiful counties. We offer a lifestyle and professional satisfaction that few organisations can match.

(*) The Government has placed restrictions on the tax free benefits that you can have at retirement. As well as the amount that your pension savings can grow each year before being subject to a tax charge by HMRC. Before taking up your new role please seek independent financial advice. Please visit the local government pension scheme website for further information.

Pay scales

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