TOWN Hall chiefs will be urged to introduce council-funded flu jabs for employees.

A pandemic flu outbreak, which creates significant additional pressures on key services while limiting the ability to respond to them, has been listed as a strategic risk facing the authority.

It was debated by councillors during Thursday’s audit and corporate governance committee meeting.

Cllr Paul Warburton (LAB – Chapelford and Old Hall) said staff – who ‘understand’ the risks – have a responsibility to take up any future offer of free flu jabs during high-risk periods.

He added: “It would be cost-effective because it is the cost of the flu jab opposed to someone being off sick.”

Committee chairman Cllr Chris Fitzsimmons (LAB – Birchwood) wants the flu jabs to be funded from the council’s public health budget.

He said: “Why aren’t we paying for them?

“I can tell you which budget it is coming out of – the public health budget.

“That would be a good use of the money because not only are we stopping our staff getting the flu, we are stopping them spreading the flu.

“It is worthwhile. We can offer it.”

Cllr Fitzsimmons confirmed the committee will make a future recommendation to the executive board for the council to offer flu jabs to employees.

However, Cllr Brian Axcell (LD – Appleton) presented a cautious approach to the matter.

“Just before you get too carried away, the flu jab only protects against certain strains,” he said.

“It improves the probability of people not getting the flu but it doesn’t eliminate the possibility of it.”