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Employee Benefits

Information on the benefits available to council employees

Introduction of Shared AVCs

The council added to its range of existing employee benefits package by introducing a new salary sacrifice scheme from Friday 21 April 2023.

This new Shared AVC scheme provides Lothian Pension Fund members with the opportunity to save National Insurance Contributions ('NICs') in addition to tax, meaning you can increase your take-home pay, compared to paying AVCs in the standard way. Existing AVC members can transfer their AVC to the new scheme.

In order to join this new scheme, you will be required to share some personal information with My Money Matters (previously AVC Wise) who will in turn notify the council's Payroll department. Full details of are made available in the associated Privacy Notice (PDF, 130 KB)(opens new window)

My Money Matters (previously AVC Wise) will be responsible for facilitating this new benefit for the council and the AVC provider will continue to be Prudential. For more information and details on how to sign-up, please click here.

Employee Benefits

The council provides an employee benefits package as part of its People Strategy 2018-23 (PDF, 358 KB)(opens new window), recognising and rewarding our employees' contribution to the success of the council.

Some of the key benefits available are as follows: -

  • Childcare Vouchers - Due to changes in legislation childcare vouchers are only available to employees who were members of the scheme as at 30 September 2018.  If this applies to you, you can opt to buy childcare vouchers up to a value £243 per month (£124 if higher rate tax payer).  As the payment for these vouchers is deducted from gross salary (known as a salary sacrifice scheme), this can result in savings of up to £933 per year in tax and national insurance payments.  Vouchers can be used for a range of child care provision including nurseries, registered child minders and after school clubs.  If you are not eligible for this scheme you may wish to apply for tax free childcare via the UK government website (opens new window)

  • Cycle to Work - employees can opt to hire a bike for use in commuting to and from work (and weekends/evening).  The monthly payments are agreed and deducted from gross salary (known as a salary sacrifice scheme) thereby resulting in savings of up to £320 (dependant on the value of the bike) in tax and national insurance payments.

  • Local and National discounts - employees can access a wide range of local and national discounts on a range of products including holidays, high street shopping and major UK attractions.

These benefits are accessible via the employee benefits scheme website (opens new window)

Sports and Social Club

All council employees also have access to join the Sports and Social Club.  This is run by a committee comprising elected representatives from various council services.  A variety of events are organised such as theatre trips, race days and preferential rates for attraction tickets.  In addition there is a monthly prize draw with five cash prizes of up to £150.

Membership is currently £3 per month.  If you wish to become a member please complete the Sports & Social Club Application Form (Word doc, 87 KB)(opens new window)