PLANS to introduce more flexible working arrangements for Pendle Council employees are a step nearer.

Members, who are hoping that other local organisations will also give the issue more thought, agreed that consultations should begin with trade unions.

The proposals are part of a review of the council's current policies and practices on work and life balance and members were presented with a range of options that would form a new council policy.

Options include extending the current system of flexi-time, compressed weeks where employees can work their hours over a four-day week or a nine-day fortnight, term-time only working, extending the current job sharing scheme, working from home either on a regular or ad hoc basis and new arrangements for both paid and unpaid leave.

Examples include paid paternity leave, adoption or fertility treatment leave, unpaid leave for bereavement, leave for religious observance and career breaks.

Steve Traynor, the council's personnel manager, said: "The Council has, for many years, had a number of policies to provide flexible working for employees. There are new challenges facing us in Local Government including the government's modernisation agenda and tailoring services to better respond to the needs of the community.

"It is clear that the standard 9 to 5 working pattern is now less relevant to the demand for services from the public."