William Eichler 04 October 2019

New family leave guidance for Scottish councils published

New guidance on family leave for councillors in Scotland recommends that councillors on leave be allowed to continue receiving their basic allowances.

The guidance, agreed yesterday by members of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), aims to boost diversity within the local government sector.

Councillors in Scotland currently have no legal right to family leave of any kind. This barrier disproportionally impacts women who make up just 29% of Scottish councillors.

COSLA’s Barriers to Elected Office, a special interest group chaired by COSLA President Cllr Alison Evison, has identified this absence of family leave as a key barrier preventing individuals from standing or re-standing for elected office.

As a result, the group recommended ‘Family Leave Guidance for Councillors’ covering maternity, paternity, shared and adoption leave.

This guidance includes the recommendation that councillors on leave continue to receive both their basic and Special Responsibility allowances in full where appropriate.

COSLA acknowledged that the payment of Special Responsibility Allowance is not always possible within the constraints of current legislation and so agreed to press the Scottish government to allow greater local flexibility and decision making on this matter.?

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner