City of York Council has added a package of local discounts to its existing voluntary benefits scheme in a bid to enhance its reputation with staff and to support the local economy.
City of York Council negotiated discounts with food and clothing retailers and local tourist attractions, which it made available to its 8,000 staff and to North Yorkshire County Council's 24,000 employees, last month.
In-house research at Yorkshire City Council found that while employees appreciated their existing provider-supplied package of voluntary benefits, they wanted discounts on products or services they could buy locally and more frequently.
The council is also looking into discounts with local health and wellbeing suppliers.