1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to update Members on holiday arrangements for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
2. Members will be aware that at a meeting on 4th November 2021, the Council agreed to recognise the Platinum Jubilee and put certain arrangements in place to facilitate this. In particular, Council agreed to award an additional day of no work requirement on 3rd June, for all employees. It was also agreed that in accordance with established practice, employees within services that are required to deliver essential services on Friday 3 June 2022, would be required to work that day, but would be entitled to time off in lieu at an appropriate later date.
3. The decision of Council set out above, reflected practice across many Scottish local authorities at the time the decision was made.
4. Members will be aware that since November, the Council and its workforce have continued to respond to the ever present challenge of COVID, with restrictions and local infection rates only reducing in the last few weeks. Over the last 2 years both Council and individual Members have paid tribute to the work and commitment of all council officers in responding to the challenges of COVID.
5. In light of the above, and following further engagement with the trade unions, the Chief Executive has liaised with political group leaders and now intends to exercise his delegated authority to designate Friday 3rd June as a public holiday for the Council. This means that anyone required to work on that day will receive enhanced rates in accordance with normal contractual conditions. In addition, those who work flexibly (whether in relation to the number of hours worked or work pattern) will also be credited with the appropriate leave. Thursday 2nd June will remain as previously advised.
6. The designation of 3rd June as a public holiday is in direct recognition of the commitment of the workforce in responding to COVID and will not create a precedence for any future one-off public holidays going forward.