Over 140 Derry & Strabane Council staff still on furlough

There are currently 143 Derry & Strabane Council employees furloughed with 86 of those people flexibly furloughed, it has been confirmed.
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Members of Derry City & Strabane District Council’s Governance and Strategic Planning Committee were brought up to speed on Council’s implementation of the Job Retention Scheme which has been in place since March 1, 2020 and is currently confirmed to September 30, 2021.

Lead Human Resources Officer Paula Donnelly presented a report to Members outlining the up-to-date position.

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Since March 2020 and the start of restrictions enforced as a result of the global pandemic, Derry City & Strabane District Council has furloughed in the region of 270 employees, mainly employed from Leisure Services, Visitor Services (Guildhall and Museums) and Arts and Culture (Alley Theatre).

Many of the staff furloughed since March have been in leisure and tourism sectors.Many of the staff furloughed since March have been in leisure and tourism sectors.
Many of the staff furloughed since March have been in leisure and tourism sectors.

At present there are currently 143 employees furloughed with 86 of these employees flexibly furloughed and unlike other councils who pay furlough staff 80%, with the option for staff to use accrued annual leave to top it up to 100%, Derry City & Strabane Council employees continue to receive 100% of their substantive pay.

From March 2020 to January 2021, the Council has recouped a total of £1,880,063 from the furlough scheme, the most significant element of this relating to leisure services.

By Gillian Anderson

Local Democracy Reporter