Overview
- Communities Secretary Steve Reed wrote to council leader Bridget Smith expressing deep disappointment and citing reported falls in rent collection, re-letting times and tenant satisfaction with repairs.
- Reed requested a meeting with officials and asked the council to set out how it will protect services and ensure value for money under the policy of full pay for reduced hours.
- South Cambridgeshire said it remains exceptionally high performing, pointing to independent analysis that found 21 of 24 monitored services maintained or improved and arguing housing dips were due to other factors.
- The council says the shorter week cut staff turnover by about 41%, delivered nearly £400,000 in annual savings and boosted job applications by around 120%, with offices open five days and contact centre hours extended.
- Ministers have reiterated guidance discouraging four-day weeks but cannot compel councils to abandon them, as other authorities consider similar trials following South Cambridgeshire’s permanent move in July after a 2023 pilot.