The report due to go to Cabinet on the 9th December makes some proposals that affect our pockets. Despite this, Sandwell Council is treating this matter as a public consultation not a union-employer consultation.
For members working in West Bromwich, the proposal to reduce the annual pass from £390 to £240 will be welcome news. However the plans to charge for parking on the public (staff) car park in Oldbury will be unwelcome news.
Although salary sacrifice can be used to offset some of the cost, you need to be aware that this reduces your gross salary and therefore your future pension calculations if you are in the Local Government Pension Scheme. You should factor this into any potential savings.
The Branch is currently consulting with stewards and members on how best to respond to the announcement from the blog and we will submit views to the public consultation (and to Cabinet if possible).
Please send us your thoughts or proposals to, sandwellunison@btconnect.com and look out for any members meetings that may be arranged shortly.