HR Why should you join us

Home >
HR Why should you join us

Why should you join us?

Positive about People

If you want to be part of something special that can positively change peoples’ lives, then Bridgend County Borough Council is the place to work.

We are a Council that values people who are flexible, innovative and committed. With over 7,500 staff we are one of the largest employers in the region and offer a diverse range of job opportunities with good working conditions and favourable rates of pay.

Wherever you start within the Council, we can offer the development and support to help you build a rewarding and fulfilling career with us.

A better, brighter Bridgend

It's fair to say that Bridgend County Borough Council has been going through some changes of late.

The Chief Executive, Jo Farrar, has stated that she wants the Council to be a modern organisation with a reputation for providing the best services in Wales, achieved through better service delivery and improved performance management and the Transforming Bridgend strategic change initiative is in the process of delivering this.

Programmes have been established to boost performance and ensure that the Council delivers the right services to the right people and at the right time - putting residents at the centre of everything we do.

As well as developing the Council into a modern fit-for-purpose organisation, the Transforming Bridgend initiative has allowed the authority to react positively to increasing national challenges and changing policies.

Three major projects carried out under the Transforming Bridgend banner:

A new senior management structure has been put in place (as of 1 April 2008), reflecting our priorities and direction of public services in Wales.
To improve our relationship with residents, a customer services centre is also being developed. The new reception area at Civic Offices will provide a welcoming environment and a team dedicated to resolving queries on the spot. A single contact number will also be launched to make contacting the Council easier.
A new organisation to support policy development, performance management and communications designed to facilitate the transformation has also been set up to provide valuable support to the work of the directorates.

The above initiatives capture the good work already taking place and demonstrates the Council’s willingness to tackle challenges and take further steps towards change.

Location, location

Located in a beautiful costal area of South Wales, with the M4 nearby, you’ll have easy access to the vibrant and cosmopolitan cities of Cardiff and Swansea. If you prefer a more peaceful setting the rugged Brecon Beacons and the Gower Peninsula are both less than a stone’s throw away and we have some of the most beautiful coastline in Wales. So, if you’re after a change of scenery, we’ve got it all!

We are very proud of our heritage and culture and in our borough you can maintain an excellent quality of life, find well priced housing, and a wide range of schools offering education through the medium of English and Welsh. Plus, we have a diverse range of leisure and cultural facilities. For more information visit the following websites:

www.houseprices.co.uk

www.upmystreet.co.uk

www.visitbridgend.com

http://www.estyn.gov.uk (for school inspection reports)

Competitive Salary

We offer a competitive salary and an annual cost of living award

Annual Leave

Our generous holiday entitlement (in addition to statutory and bank holidays) is 24 days increasing to 29 days after five years of service). Annual leave for part-time employees is calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Work-life Balance

The Council actively supports initiatives to aid greater work-life balance and was one of the first organisations to sign up to the Welsh Assembly Government's Chwarae Teg work-life balance project. These include flexible working, part-time working, working from home, job share and access to the BusyBees childcare voucher scheme. The range of initiatives available is very much dependant upon the needs of the individual job.

Training and Development

Bridgend County Borough Council recognises the importance of learning to the success of the organisation and is committed to the investment in and development of its employees. Training is organised at both a corporate and department level and many departments have the Investors in People standard.

Performance and Appraisals

The Corporate Improvement Plan is the driving force behind the Council. The document links the council's corporate priorities with directorate and service business plans which in turn feed into individual performance targets. These targets form part of the appraisal process.

Maternity/Adoption/Paternity Pay

We offer a generous maternity/adoption/paternity scheme which provides enhanced payments in addition to statutory provisions.

Local Government Pension

Relevant to non-teaching staff only, the Local Government Scheme is administered by the Rhondda Cynon Taff Pension Fund

Subsidised Leisure

All employees are eligible to purchase a Bridgecard at reduced rates which offers discounted access to the council's leisure centres with the county borough.

Relocation Packages

Where appropriate we can provide financial assistance to newly appointed employees in meeting the cost of relocation expenses incurred as a result of their appointment