Nearly 6,500 Dumfries and Galloway Council workers will be given a day off work to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Councillors agreed to give staff an extra holiday on Friday, June 3, as the country marks the special royal milestone.
While the UK and Scottish Government announced an additional one-off bank holiday on this date, and an intention to move the late May Day Bank Holiday to Thursday, June 2, there was no guarantee council workers would get time off.
This is because the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) confirmed that it will be for councils to determine arrangements at a local level.
Two options were presented at the recent full council meeting: to grant an additional one day of leave on Friday, June 3, or not recognise the holiday and treat it as a normal working day.
A report tabled at the meeting stated: “This (latter) option may result in an adverse reaction from employees and trade unions, particularly given the significant efforts of the council workforce throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This would also be out of step of other councils who have universally agreed to support the celebrations on Friday, June 3, 2022.
“Most councils have agreed to provide an extra day of fixed annual leave.”
The report also explained that providing an additional day of leave is an “opportunity cost” of £675,349 to the council.
This was seconded by North West Dumfries Councillor David McKie and approved by full council.
