Marking HM The King’s coronation as a public holiday could cost cash-strapped Stirling Council up to £60,000.
King Charles III is set to be crowned on Saturday May 6, with the Scottish Government having confirmed that the following Monday will be a bank holiday to mark the occasion.
Stirling Council officials are recommending that staff be awarded one additional day’s annual leave on the grounds of it being “the most cost effective option”.
In a report being discussed at a special meeting of the council on Thursday afternoon, as the Observer went to press, the officers added: “If the council chooses not to mark the occasion and to retain Monday May 8 as a normal working day, there would be no financial costs.
“Should the council choose to grant this as an additional day of annual leave there would be a loss of productivity as a consequence of lost working hours.
“Should the council determine to observe May 8 as an additional public holiday, this would incur an additional, unbudgeted cost for the council of up to £60,000, attributable to the enhanced pay rates a public holiday attracts.
“There is no statutory or contractual entitlement for employees to be granted time off for this occasion, and recognition is at the discretion of the employer.
“Awarding either an additional day of annual leave or observing as an additional public holiday would result in a reduction of teaching days from 190 to 189. In these circumstances, permission would require to be sought from Scottish Government for an additional day’s closure in schools. Indications are that, if requested by local authorities, this permission would be granted. In light of the announced bank holiday, no exams will take place on May 8.
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“Scottish Government advised that within Early Learning and Childcare settings, there will be no option to reduce the 1140 hours entitlement. Nurseries will be able to offer alternatives on a case by case basis, for the loss of time on this day.
“Of responses received from other local authorities to date, nine advised they were likely to award an additional day of leave, 14 advised they would look to award an additional public holiday, and one has already decided to retain the day as a normal working day.”
Council employees were previously provided with one additional day of annual leave for the April 2011 royal wedding, the June 2012 Queen’s Golden Jubilee, June 2022 Platinum Jubilee, and the Queen’s funeral in September 2022.
