Agenda item

Consider joint report by Director People Performance & Change and Director Resilient Communities.  (Copy attached.)

9.1    There had been circulated copies of a joint report by the Director of People, Performance and Change and Director Resilient Communities asking Council to consider the best approach to allow employees and communities to celebrate the King’s Coronation in May 2023.  The report explained that His Majesty King Charles III would celebrate His Coronation in May 2023.  The First Minister had confirmed, along with the other nations of the United Kingdom, the introduction of a Bank Holiday on Monday 8 May 2023 to mark the celebration of His Majesty’s Coronation.  The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) had not issued specific guidance to Local Authorities, leaving the decision at the discretion of each Council.  The Coronation would take place on Saturday 6 May 2023.  Four options were considered in coming to a conclusion on how best to mark the occasion.  It was proposed that Option 2 was taken forward, and a holiday granted for Monday 8 May as an additional one-off annual leave day for staff and the public offices of the Council be closed.  It was further proposed that a sum of £50k be allocated to create a King’s Coronation Fund, which would be made available to each of the 69 Community Councils to host celebratory community events to mark the King’s Coronation Weekend from 6 to 8 May 2023.  Members discussed the proposals and unanimously agreed to support the proposed holiday for staff.  However, there were strong views both for and against the provision of a Fund.  After a lengthy discussion, Members were still divided on the Fund, and a Motion and Amendments as detailed below were considered.  Members unanimously approved the granting of a holiday on Monday 8 May. 

9.2    Councillor S. Hamilton, seconded by Councillor Pirone, moved that the recommendations in the report relating to the funding be amended as follows:-

“(b)    to approve funding from the COVID19 Recovery Fund to help promote inclusion, wellness and tackle social isolation post pandemic by affording communities the opportunity to host celebratory events to mark the King’s Coronation weekend.  Funding will be distributed up to 30 April 2023 and will be limited to £500 per Community Council or where a Community Council is not in existence then the funding will be available to appropriate community organisations within the Community Councils boundary; and

(c)     that the Council will also provide practical help and advice for communities who wish to organise their own events.  This support will include waste collection, road closures and other such advice & support.”

9.3    Councillor Tatler, seconded by Councillor Anderson, moved as an amendment that “Recommendation 2.1(b) is removed and no action is taken regarding the King’s Coronation Fund.”

9.4    Councillor Sinclair, seconded by Councillor Thornton-Nicol, moved as a further amendment that “Recommendation 2.1(b) be removed and replaced with:

(b)     Notes that National Lottery Awards for All funding is available to support events and activities to celebrate and commemorate the King’s Coronation on or around the weekend of 6 – 8 May; and

(c)         Agrees to distribute the £50k identified in this report to Foodbanks and Community Larders across the Scottish Borders.”

9.5    Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Tatler moved that the votes be taken by roll call and this was unanimously approved.

9.6    The Clerk to the Council explained that a vote would firstly be taken in respect of Councillor Hamilton’s Motion and the direct negative amendment proposed by Councillor Tatler.  The winner of that vote would then be taken against the amendment proposed by Councillor Sinclair.

9.7    First Roll Call Vote

         18 Members voted for the Motion and 15 Members voted for the amendment.  The Motion was accordingly carried.

9.8    Second Roll Call Vote

         Note – Councillor C. Hamilton was absent from the meeting during the above vote so did not take part.

         17 Members voted for the Motion and 15 Members voted for the amendment.  The Motion was accordingly carried.

         DECISION

(a)     AGREEED to grant the holiday as an additional one off annual leave day on Monday 8 May 2023 and the public offices of the Council were closed on that day.  If staff were required to work on this holiday, no enhancements to pay would be given and only time in lieu would be granted.

         (b)     DECIDED:

(i)      to approve funding from the COVID19 Recovery Fund to help promote inclusion, wellness and tackle social isolation post pandemic by affording communities the opportunity to host celebratory events to mark the King’s Coronation weekend.  Funding would be distributed up to 30 April 2023 and would be limited to £500 per Community Council or where a Community Council was not in existence then the funding would be available to appropriate community organisations within the Community Council’s boundary; and

(ii)     that the Council would also provide practical help and advice for communities who wished to organise their own events.  This support would include waste collection, road closures and other such advice and support.