Aberdeen becomes first council to grant World Cup bank holiday

Aberdeen City Council has become the first local authority to grant its staff an extra day off to celebrate Scotland’s participation in the men’s World Cup.

First Minister John Swinney recently announced the bank holiday would be held on Monday, June 15.

This marks the men’s national team’s first match of the tournament against Haiti, and is the first World Cup match for the Scottish side since 1998.

While Scottish Government staff were automatically given the day off, councils across the country have to decide whether to recognise the holiday or not.

However, Aberdeen councillors met today and unanimously agreed to let staff get time off to celebrate the team’s success.

The decision means that council services on that particular day will be reduced, and schools could close for the day too.

Council chiefs will now write to the Scottish Government to request that staff and pupils get the day off as well.

But while the extra holiday is good news for workers, it comes with financial consequences for the local authority.

It will have to pay out up to £30,000 in holiday pay for essential workers who can’t take the day off.

This latest decision comes after councillors agreed to let pubs stay open late for football fans to watch matches during the early hours.

Welcoming the decision, council co-leader councillor Ian Yuill, said: “I remember the buzz there was in Aberdeen the last time Scotland was in the World Cup.

“This special public holiday will help repeat, and hopefully exceed, that.”

Fellow co-leader councillor Christian Allard also approved the holiday, and said it was a chance for people “to come together and celebrate” the occasion.

However, Labour councillor Deena Tissera queried if granting the day off would mean that future sporting achievements across all genders and disciplines would get the same treatment.

Officers assured her that any potential public holidays in the months and years to come would be considered as they arise.

A number of local authorities have already rejected the additional break, meaning staff will not get the day off.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife and Scottish Borders councils have all refused the bank holiday.

Glasgow City Council is expected to approve the holiday this week, despite it coming at a cost of a whopping £520,000.

In recent years, Aberdeen City Council granted public holidays for staff to celebrate the King’s Coronation.

Bank holidays were also approved for the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and funeral.