A council is planning to change employment policies – whether staff and the union agree to it or not.

Calderdale Council says it needs to make £600,000 savings in employment costs.

Big changes to employment terms and conditions have been proposed and agreed cross-party to save £600,000 of the council’s budget.

Among the changes is the removal of a lump sum payment for essential car users, and the introduction of a new tax-neutral mileage rate of 45p for both essential and casual car users.

The council is also planning a reduction in salary protection following redeployment from a phased reduction in salary over five years to full protection for two years.

Other changes include the removal of the personal telephone allowance to save around £3,000.

Clr Bryan Smith, Cabinet member for business improvement and resources, said: “We have to reduce our employee costs by £600,000.

“We’ve been discussing the proposals with our staff and the trade unions to work together to find a solution.

“We’ve listened and made changes to our original proposals, where we can.

“If we aren’t able to reach an agreement with staff, or the trade unions, then we will have to offer all staff a contract with the new terms and conditions.

“We are hoping that this will not be necessary as it really is the last resort.

“The package we are offering provides many benefits for staff and for the Council, not least of which is to make sure that we can balance the budget.”

As part of the changes staff will be offered flexible working, a reduction in hours and the option to buy more annual leave.

Clr Smith added: “We are working hard to make these reductions without the need for significant job losses and we are determined to make sure that we protect our essential services.

To introduce the changes the council needs a collective agreement with the trade unions.

If they can’t agree the council will consult with individual members of staff who are directly affected by the changes.

Further meeting with the unions are planned for the coming weeks.

No-one from Unison was available to comment before the Examiner went to press.