PKC workers to get a day off for coronation
Perth and Kinross Council employees will be granted an extra day’s holiday on May 8 to celebrate the King’s coronation.
The decision was made by all councillors at a meeting on Wednesday, February 8.
The coronation of King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6.
The occasion will be marked by a bank holiday on Monday, May 8.
The decision to grant an additional day’s annual leave for council staff was unanimously approved during a meeting last week.
However, Labour councillor Brian Leishman will possibly not be glued to his television in order to watch the spectacle that weekend.
The Perth City North elected member said: “The coronation is a completely pointless event in the respect that Charles is already King.
“The inevitable pomp and pageantry will cost the public a substantial amount of money – money that could be spent on vital services.”
But he added: “I’m glad the bank holiday in schools is not to be moved.”
One option would have been to swap the May 1 holiday – when school pupils are due to be off – to May 8.
However, councillors supported the recommended option to support an additional day of annual leave, meaning schools will now be off on both Mondays.
Only essential council services – which includes emergency responses to homelessness, housing repairs, child and adult protection services – will be maintained on May 8.
Council employees who have to work on the day due to the nature of their roles will be awarded their additional annual leave at another suitable time.
Conservative Strathearn ward councillor Noah Khogali said: “On a less dour note we can use that day to recognise the volunteers, especially in our communities, and I hope we can have a special award for volunteering centred around that day.”