Kathryn Cook, Assistant Director HR and Organisational Development, gave the Committee a verbal report on the Housing Rent Deposit Scheme. She explained that this was a scheme to provide free loans to help staff to relocate to Reading or when moving house. The loan was capped at £3,000 and would be a twelve-month payback period. The scheme would be open to permanent staff or those on a minimum 12-month fixed-term contract and there was a formal application process for the loans once the appropriate probation period had ended. Two applications to the Scheme had been made to date and interest in the provision would be regularly monitored. Kathryn added that this offer would be included in the range of information sent to new starters once the formal offer of a post had been made. The Committee noted that this offer was in addition to the current relocation package that was available for some roles within the Council.

Resolved:    That the position be noted.