The government recognises that there are significant benefits to both employers and employees when organisations and unions work together effectively to deliver high quality public service, but facility time within the public sector must be accountable and represent value for money.
The Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations came into force on 1 April 2017, requiring public sector organisations who employ over 49 full time equivalent staff employees to publish information relating to trade union usage/spend. These regulations provide a framework for open and transparent monitoring. The links attached detail Sandwell Councils annual reports for facilities time, which cover the previous financial year, and which are submitted to the government website by the 31 July of the relevant year, as well as being published on the Councils own website.