Calderdale Council’s Cabinet yesterday agreed to consult street sweeping staff and trade unions about introducing a 7 day working week which would remove overtime pay for  weekend work.

Unless there is a significant event or incident at the weekend, there is currently a five day working week for street sweepers and other members of the Safer Cleaner Greener team that maintain parks, open spaces, children’s play areas, woodlands and nature reserves, empty litter bins and remove graffiti and fly-tipping from Council land.

Government under-funding of local authorities means Calderdale Council has to make more cuts next year. Cllr Susan Press, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said,

“In order to meet significant financial pressures, we have to look at new ways of working to make the best use of our limited resources and ensure value for money for taxpayers.”