2017 Council elections: A New Hope? or Attack of the Clones?

An employer can give unpaid leave for someone to carry out a public role= this could be a Councillor, Jury Service etc. In the case of a Councillor an employer can refuse on the grounds of needs of the business and sometime a Councillor will save up some holiday time. An employer in some circumstances could still pay a wage (more fool them) in which case the hourly rate for attending a meeting is actually significantly higher. Some Councillor may be self-employed and can fit the role around their own work programme. Some may be part time or retired so obviously greater flexibility.

In the case of Jury Service a business has to put forward a very strong case for not allowing an employee to take time off-

[quote quote=122473]The newly elected Council in 2017 could change the calendar of meetings and make more of them evening meetings. The present Council have progressively timed meetings earlier and earlier , not sure who has pushed for this Officiers or Councillors. A minority of Councillors manage to work or run businesses and be effective Councillors .

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Thanks both. Just wondering because if it is expected to be your main job then the allowance is not enough to attract good quality candidates of working age. If it’s accepted that it’s a part time role alongside a career then fair enough.