SNS GroupCouncillors in Orkney have kicked out proposals which would have given staff an extra public holiday to mark Scotland’s participation in the men’s World Cup.
Specifically, the holiday would have been held on Monday, June 15. The Scottish side are due to face Haiti at 2am on June 14.
However, a conservative estimate of the additional cost to the council was put at £100,000 to £120,000.
It would have also resulted in the closure of schools and implications for other services.
The Scottish Government designated June 15 as a holiday to mark the first time the Scottish men’s team have qualified for the World Cup since 1998.
While this proposal was approved by the King, it was up to individual employers as to whether they also give the day off.
No funding given to fund extra holiday, states council report
No specific funding would be provided to councils granting the day off, said a report viewed by Orkney council’s Policy and Resources committee today.
Orkney’s council isn’t the only local authority to shoot down the holiday. Shetland Islands Council and others have also decided against it.
The report that councillors viewed today recommended not granting the holiday due to the “additional and unfunded financial impact this would present”.
The other options were to make June 15 a public holiday or grant an additional, fixed day of annual leave.
Councillors seemed fairly light-hearted about the proposals – but didn’t support them.
Councillor Leslie Manson asked if the council, as “a good employer rather than a rash employer”, would take steps to make life as easy as possible for football fans wishing to stay up late.
World Cup: Orkney council’s football fans will have to recover by Monday or take annual leave
He was reminded that the game in question takes place at 2am on a Sunday, rather than the following Monday.
Also, council employees would be able to book their annual leave as normal, if they so choose.
However, councillor Owen Tierney then asked: “But what if they win?”, to some laughter in the chamber.
Councillor James Moar asked if the proposals are a “vote creation thing” for the Scottish Government.
However, this went unanswered by council officers, as it was a “political question”.
Council leader Heather Woodbridge noted that the proposals were put forward in “a meeting talking about how we are struggling financially”.
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