Staff at this Kent local authority say they enjoy the variety of work and the people in their teams, but most of all they love making a difference in their community.

This includes not just dealing with council tax, planning permission and taxi licences, but also helping vulnerable people who need their time and support. The council's 450 employees work as one high-performing team and pride themselves on using technology to be as efficient as possible. Everyone is kept updated on its plans and progress through regular newsletters, videos, podcasts and bi-monthly all-staff meetings.

There is an embedded culture of flexible and part-time working so that people can fit their work around their lives as necessary and the authority believes in taking employee wellbeing seriously. Its values include Thinking Ahead, Performance Counts, Customer First and One Team.

The authority uses social media as well as more traditional methods to attract new recruits and also works with local educational establishments such as the University of Kent.

A vibrant programme of learning and development activity, much of it delivered in-house, helps staff to enhance their skills and a timetable of online social events has kept everyone connected while working remotely during the pandemic over the past year. Covid vaccination centres have been operating in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, with the council providing residents with information and support.