South Tyneside Council staff could receive unpaid leave to volunteer in the community under new plans.
Next week, councillors will be asked to rubber-stamp a 'volunteer policy' which aims to build relationships between the council and community.
Under the plans, residents will be able to apply for volunteer placements across council services.
And council staff will also be able to do their part by offering their time to support organisations in the borough.
According to a report, drafted for the authority's Human Resources Committee, council employees will be granted up to three days of unpaid leave per year to do so.
Eligible areas include community care work, environmental schemes and fundraising for communities and charities.
In action, the scheme aims give council staff the opportunity to pass over skills including leadership qualities, alongside improving morale, health and work-life balance.
And supporting volunteers, the committee report adds, will help the council build relationships with the community and "improve how it is perceived within it".
It reads: "The council recognises the vital role played by volunteers, community groups and the third sector in potentially bridging the gap between what services the community expects to receive and those we are able to deliver.
"Volunteers make a significant positive impact on many economic, social, cultural and environmental issues.
"Volunteering can empower people and communities to fulfil their potential."
Under the policy, any residents volunteering with the council will be kept in check through formal agreements covering matters around confidentiality, health and safety and safeguarding.
In some cases, the report adds, volunteers can also provide support to users of council services that paid employees may not be able to provide due to "financial constraints placed upon the council."
According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies, South Tyneside has been the third worst affected authority from loss of government grants.
In its recent 2019/20 budget, council bosses had to make £12million of savings.
This is on top of the £156million the council has already seen slashed from its funding since 2010.
If approved, the new volunteer policy aims to encourage more partnership working as the authority faces uncertainty around future funding.
The report adds: "The policy provides the opportunity for employees of the council to volunteer their time and skills to the benefit of the wider community and for the council to benefit from volunteers to provide support to the community which the council might otherwise struggle to deliver."
A final decision on the scheme will be made at South Shields Town Hall on Wednesday, July 10.
The meeting starts at 10am and for more information, visit: www.southtyneside.gov.uk
