Inverclyde Council opts not to give staff World Cup bank holiday

Inverclyde Council has opted not to give staff an extra day off to mark the occasion of Scotland’s men competing at the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

The decision, which was voted through at the policy and resources committee on Tuesday, also means schools and nurseries will not close on Monday, June 15.

The Scottish Government announced earlier this year that the date in question, which comes a day after Scotland’s opening match against Haiti, had officially been confirmed as a national bank holiday.

However, the council was not obligated to grant it and, in the same vein as the majority of other local authorities across the country, elected members have decided against doing so.

Members of the SNP group had suggested a school and early years establishment closure, with those staff taking the day off and all other employees either following suit or being given another day of annual leave.

A report, which was considered at the meeting, estimated the total cost of facilitating that particular option would come in at up to £47,500.

Ultimately, this proposal, acting as the motion, only received three votes while seven opted for the amendment, which agreed that the status quo should remain.

Steve Clarke’s side secured their spot at the tournament by netting twice in stoppage time, through Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, to down Denmark 4-2 at Hampden Park and top their qualifying group in November.

The team have been drawn against Haiti (2am on Sunday, June 14), Morocco (11pm on Friday, June 19) and Brazil (11pm on Wednesday, June 24) in the group stage of the competition.

It will be the first time Scotland’s men have played at the World Cup in 28 years when, led by the late Craig Brown, they came up against Brazil, Norway and Morocco in France.

Members of the Tartan Army have booked flights and hotels as they travel to the United States in both hope and expectation of making a mark at the summer spectacular.