Reform councils in Northamptonshire to continue hybrid model despite Nigel Farage calling home working 'a load of nonsense'

Speaking at a rally in Birmingham earlier this week, the party’s national leader called for an “attitudinal change” to working from home. He said the idea that people are more productive home working is “a load of nonsense” and that people are “more productive being with other fellow human beings”.

However, a review conducted by both West and North Northamptonshire Councils (WNC and NNC) highlighted the “effectiveness” of their current hybrid working models.

An extract from WNC’s review of working arrangements, which the LDRS obtained through a freedom of information request, read: “Ultimately, the council needs to be efficient and productive, responsive to its communities and demonstrating value for money.

“It has been assessed that a hybrid working model is the most effective in enabling the council to meet these goals. It cannot be assumed that ‘in the office’ = ‘productive’.”

When asked if the authorities had any plans to review their working arrangements, as their current models contradict the sentiments of Farage’s recent comments, the leader of WNC, Cllr Mark Arnull, said: “Early on, the new administration asked for a full review of the council’s current hybrid model. That review showed that the existing approach supports service delivery, helps us retain staff, and offers value for money.

“On that basis, the administration agreed that hybrid working should continue, with clear expectations around performance. If concerns arise in any service, staff can be asked to return to the office.

“In short, our working practices are based on service needs across West Northamptonshire, evidence, and what helps us run an effective, efficient and modern organisation.

“The harsh reality of running a post-LGR (local government reorganisation) authority is a reduced workforce spread over multiple locations, including sometime at home.

“Although that said, I absolutely echo the sentiments of my party leader Nigel Farage, and speaking from my own business and industry experience, in my view, people work best when they can interact in person, collaborate on ideas, and there’s a lot to be said for that morning coffee break conversation to support staff health and wellbeing.”

NNC leader, Councillor Martin Griffiths, said that over half of his council’s staff either work in the field, providing essential public services, or are permanently based in an office.

He said: “NNC has a happy, hard working and dedicated workforce and we want to ensure that we are an employer of choice now and in the future. It is vitally important, therefore, that our colleagues have regular and routine contact in a physical work environment alongside their teams.

“The council does not have any ‘home-working’ contractual arrangements, however, we do have staff who work in a hybrid way. This is because the council does not have enough office space to be able to accommodate everyone in an office at the same time.

“To do this, the council would need to double the office space it has. Rather than procure more space, flexible working arrangements are providing a sensible and productive option.”

He also confirmed that there is no intention to change the authority’s approach to ensure all staff work from an office for at least two days a week.