Published 02 February 2023
The Council will close on Monday, 8 May 2023, to allow employees to celebrate His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation.
The day of closure was approved by members of the Corporate Services Committee to mark the historic event, which will be the first time many people will have witnessed a Coronation.
The Coronation is taking place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May, 2023 conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. There is an extensive programme of public celebrations planned across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
The Council is keen to accommodate employees who wish to mark the historic occasion and related events by treating Monday, 8 May as a day of closure.
Employees who are contracted to work on Monday, 8 May 2023 will be awarded normal pay for the day. Those contracted to work to maintain essential frontline services will receive normal pay for the day plus time off in lieu. Employees not contracted to work on Mondays will have time added to their leave entitlement.
Councillor Daniel Lennie, Convener of Corporate Services, said: “I am pleased we had the support of our Trade Union colleagues to offer employees an additional paid day off as we have done for other such events. The Coronation will be a worldwide celebration and it is fitting that employees who want to join this historic event and global celebrations are able to do so.”
Councillor Michelle McGinty, Vice Convener of Corporate Services, said: “The weekend leading up to the Coronation there will be a host of events to mark the historic event and it’s right that we allow our employees who wish to join in the celebrations time off work. There will be service exemptions for personal events already scheduled including funerals, weddings and civil partnerships meaning that these can go ahead as planned.”
As well as the Coronation event, there are a number of be further opportunities for people to come together in celebration. On Sunday, 7th May 2023, a special Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle.
The Coronation Big Lunch, at which neighbours and communities are invited to share food and fun together, will take place across the country on the same date. On Monday, 8th May 2023, members of the public will be invited to take part in The Big Help Out, which will encourage people to try volunteering and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.