Issue - meetings

To consider an amendment to the policy on Relocation Expenses for External Candidates for Cheshire East.

The Cabinet Member considered a proposed amendment to the policy on Relocation Expenses for External Candidates for Cheshire East.

A number of the initial and senior appointments to Cheshire East Council had attracted external candidates who, potentially, would be required to relocate to the area if appointed. As an interim solution, the new Cheshire East Policy had been adapted from the existing County Council Policy and only allowed for assistance towards expenditure arising from a move (from temporary accommodation to a permanent home, as well as for the initial move to temporary accommodation), provided that the second move occurred within 12 months of the first move.

In the current economic climate, with its effects on the housing market, it could be perceived to be restrictive and unrealistic to expect a new appointee to achieve a sale and purchase within a 12 month period, irrespective of whether they had chosen to rent temporary accommodation as a short term solution. It was proposed, therefore, that the time limit allowed within the policy to achieve a permanent house move be amended from one year to two years.

RESOLVED

That  the Relocation Expenses for External Candidates Policy be amended to increase the time limit allowed for a permanent house move from one year to two years.