Councillors asked to adopt new maternity leave guidelines

Family leave for councillors who become parents would make public office more accessible and encourage them to remain in post, according to a new report.

Midlothian House, Buccleuch St Dalkeith. Council headquarters.

Midlothian Council is being asked to adopt new COSLA guidelines which allow elected members who become parents to take the same time off, which employees are offered.

A report to council points out that councillors are not entitled to the same time off and urges members to accept the new guidelines.

It says: “Whilst there is no legal right to family leave of any kind for people in elected public office, the objective of this guidance is to ensure that insofar as is possible, elected members can take appropriate leave at the time of birth or adoption, that both parents are able to take leave, and that reasonable and adequate arrangements are in place to provide cover during any period of leave taken.”

The report by chief officer Gary Fairley, says: “Improved provision for new parents will contribute towards increasing the diversity of experience, age and background of local authority councillors and making public office more accessible to individuals who might otherwise feel excluded from it.

“This guidance should in turn encourage the retention of councillors, particularly women, and making public office more accessible to individuals who might otherwise feel excluded from it.”

The new guidelines include allowing Midlothian councillors who give birth up to six months maternity leave from 28 days before their due date or from the date of birth if a baby arrives prematurely.

The local members will also be entitled to take a maximum of two weeks paternity leave if they are the biological father or nominated carer of their partner/spouse following the birth of their child or children.

Where both parents are members leave may be shared up to a maximum of 26 weeks and similar arrangements are available for those adopting a child through an approved adoption agency.