Agenda item

a.    For the purpose of celebrating our Patron Saint’s Day, to designate St David’s Day 2022 as an additional holiday for those Council staff who work in accordance with local government workers’ conditions of service, to be financed in accordance with paragraph 2.10 of the report.

b.    To authorise officers to investigate possible options to establish such an arrangement as a permanent one and for this purpose to hold further discussions with the recognised trade unions whilst continuing to lobby for the support of the Westminster Government to devolve the power to establish bank holidays to Welsh Government.

The item was presented by Cllr Nia Jeffreys.

RESOLVED

a.    For the purpose of celebrating our Patron Saint’s Day, to designate St David’s Day 2022 as an additional holiday for those Council staff who work in accordance with local government workers’ conditions of service, to be financed in accordance with paragraph 2.10 of the report.

b.    To authorise officers to investigate possible options to establish such an arrangement as a permanent one and for this purpose to hold further discussions with the recognised trade unions whilst continuing to lobby for the support of the Westminster Government to devolve the power to establish bank holidays to Welsh Government.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that the Full Council had resolved, on 7 October, to ask the Cabinet to consider officially marking St David's Day by giving its workforce a day's leave as well as calling on the Westminster Government to devolve powers to Welsh Government to be able to create a bank holiday for Wales, in line with the procedure that was already happening in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It was emphasised that the decision made at the Full Council had been a unanimous and cross-party decision which showed a clear desire to act.

It was explained that the issue was not easy and that there was a cost associated with the decision, but the Head of Corporate Support Department and the Head of Finance Department were thanked for carrying out the practical work to make this possible.

It was expressed that the letter received from the Westminster Government in response to the Council's letter was disgraceful and showed a complete lack of understanding of devolution and of Wales. It was explained that the Cabinet Member understood that some individuals disagreed with the decision due to the cost to Gwynedd Council, but that it gave an opportunity to show appreciation to council staff for their work during the course of the pandemic. It was added that support had been received from individuals across the country and that it needed to be seen as an opportunity to use the bank holiday to give the economy a boost. Welsh Government was asked to follow Gwynedd Council's lead and call for the powers that would enable them to ensure that St David's Day became a National Bank Holiday.

The Head of Corporate Support Department added that the report explained that the Council could consider making the decision to give an additional Bank Holiday day to the vast majority of the Council's workforce, but as Teachers' terms of employment were decided nationally, they could not be included in this decision. Consequently, it was noted that the decision was relevant to all Council staff, excluding Teachers.

Following the decision, 1 March would be counted as a normal Bank Holiday, noting that locations such as libraries would be closed; however, care services would continue. It was explained that the staff who would be working would be given an additional day's leave or a pay adjustment, and that the £200,000 covered the consideration of all factors. It was also explained in terms of the second part of the decision that this gave Officers the right to continue discussions with unions on the idea for the future, and to continue lobbying Welsh Government to obtain permission to establish a bank holiday in the future.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾    It was highlighted that this decision was a unanimous decision by the Full Council and it was noted that there was a need to work with partners such as Welsh Government in order to make a decision on the Bank Holiday as a nation, and not having to ask for permission from England's Government.

¾    It was noted that ratepayers' money would be used to pay for this additional Bank Holiday, highlighting that this was the same money that was available to fund each one of the bank holidays over the course of the year.

¾    Concern was highlighted that Gwynedd Council was deciding to give an additional bank holiday by itself, as it was not a national holiday.

¾    Concern was expressed on the annual cost, but it was noted that this request would lead to a decision to fund this as a one-off. It was added that there was a need to look at the practicality of doing this in the long-term.

¾    Disappointment was expressed in the insulting response of the Westminster Government to Gwynedd Council's letter, and it was added that it highlighted the relationship that was evident between Wales and England, i.e. that permission had to be sought for a holiday to celebrate a day that was important to the nation.

¾    The need to have a discussion with businesses was also highlighted, in order to see what was possible in the future.

¾    Disappointment was expressed as teachers and school staff could not be included as a part of the decision. 

¾    It was emphasised that St David's Day was a day of celebrating Welshness and Welsh culture. Appreciation was expressed for the concerns regarding the cost as well Council staff having a day's leave while other key workers did not. Nevertheless, it was noted that the Council did not have any influence outside the Council and that Westminster had the influence in this respect. It was expressed that the refusal letter was an insult to the Welsh.