Stirling Council to reject bank holiday plans

Council workers across Stirling won't get a bank holiday in June.

First Minister John Swinney has declared 15th June as a national bank holiday to mark Scotland's return to the World Cup.

However, a report by Stirling Council says it would cost more than £600,000 - with services affected.

The report is recommending the Council reject plans for a bank holiday.

The report, from a Stirling Council meeting agenda for Thursday, says:

"If the Council chooses not to mark the occasion, and to retain 15th June 2026 as a normal working day, there would be no financial costs.

Should the Council grant 15th June 2026 as an additional day of annual leave, there would be a loss of productivity, as a consequence of lost working hours. The daily salary cost for staff is circa £557k.

Should the Council determine to observe 15th June 2026 as an additional public holiday, there would be a loss of productivity, and an additional, unbudgeted cost for the Council of up to £70k, attributable to the enhanced pay rates a public holiday attracts, for those services that would continue to be delivered. The total cost would therefore be circa £627k, as this would include the daily salary cost for staff which is circa £557k."