Council staff to get public cash to buy new work gear.

Staff at more than 60 council-run library and heritage sites are being given cash to buy lilac and black clothes as part of a new dress code.

The scheme, which is costing £15k is intended to give the Lincolnshire County Council staff a smarter and more uniform appearance.

Full-time members of staff can expect to receive £70 towards buying new clothes in advance of the new dress code which is set to come into force on November 2.

Part-time members of staff working six hours a week can expect to receive £11.35. All contributions will be subject to tax and National Insurance as standard.

The authority’s heritage and regeneration divisional manager, Mike Cavanagh, described the decision as a good news story for customers.

“Staff will be spending more time on the floor with customers rather than sitting behind a desk,” he said.

“For this reason, it is important that they are quickly and easily identifiable as members of staff and that they project a professional image.

“It would be unfair to expect staff to purchase new clothing for work without giving some form of financial assistance, particularly in the economic climate.”

Mr Cavanagh also explained that introducing a dress code would be generally more cost-effective than issuing a set uniform.

“Implementing a dress code will give the same benefits of a uniform but will cost considerably less, as there will be only a small set-up cost and no ongoing costs for new staff or for replacement items,” he said.

“It will also give staff some freedom in the material they wear and their style preference, so it’s a win-win for both staff and customers.”

With a choice of fabrics available, the only requirements facing staff are to wear something plain black on their bottom half, with something plain lilac or black on their top half.

Employees are also being encouraged to wear significant and visible lilac accessories, such as scarves, ties and neckerchiefs.

Taxpayer’s Alliance campaign director Mark Wallace described the initiative as a luxury taxpayers could not afford.

“It’s remarkable that the council think this should be any kind of priority in the current economical and fiscal crisis,” he said.

“Local taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet, and it’s hard to see why council staff couldn’t continue with their current dress code in order to save money.”

The scheme has been praised by Unison, who represent those working for the public services and essential utilities.

Lincoln’s Unison branch secretary John Sharman said that the scheme seemed like a fair use of public money.

“If employees are being asked to buy new and additional clothing of a new dress code, it seems perfectly reasonable the employer contributes to that,” he said.

“I would certainly expect the employer to make a contribution, as I would with any other employer facing this situation.”