DESPITE coming under fire two years ago for having the largest amount of council staff on zero-hours contracts in the west of England, numbers employed by Wiltshire Council under the highly controversial method have risen by more than 100 since 2014.

The Conservative run council currently hires 391 people on zero-hours contracts, 8% of their 4,749 strong workforce, whereas in 2014 there were only 287 on their books.

A spokesperson for the council said more than 80% of the 391 staff are employed as coaches, instructors and activity assistants in the leisure services.

In contrast Bristol and Bath Councils do not employ staff using the contracts.

“The fact that Wiltshire Council has increased the number of zero hours contracts by more than 100 is to be strongly deplored,” said Fiona Farmer, the Unite Union national officer for local government.

"As a union, we are against the use of such contracts as they create a world of insecure work and provide very few employment rights.

“If a job is needed to be done, it should be done by a member of staff with the whole range of employment protections.

"We are firmly against the creation of a two-tier workforce which does nothing to enhance the public services that the people of Wiltshire rely on a daily basis.”

Zero-hours contracts, or casual contracts, allow employers to hire staff with no guarantee of work.

They mean employees work only when they are needed by employers, often at short notice, with their pay depending on how many hours they work.

Some zero-hours contracts require workers to take the shifts they are offered, while others do not but sick pay is often not included.

Calne Labour Party chairman, Jon Boaler, said: “People on zero-hours often suffer from the inability to plan financially due to an unpredictable income.

"Those employed do not know from day-to-day how much they may have nor when they get a call to be in."

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “These types of contracts mean these staff can vary the hours they are available to work depending on their own circumstances and provides them with some flexibility alongside any other work or family commitments they may have.

“Our figures may appear higher than many other local authorities if they have contracted out their leisure services. Wiltshire Council still retains many leisure services in house.

“These contracts mean there is no commitment on either side and means we can respond to customers’ demands and have adequate cover during periods of sickness absence or annual leave and trained cover to respond to seasonal demands.

“The council treats part time staff the same as its full time employees. All roles are evaluated the same, and the staff have the same right to holiday and holiday pay.”