PLANS to have a public holiday on Monday 15 July have been overwhelmingly backed by the States Assembly.
Members voted by 36 votes to three in favour of the ministerial proposal for the holiday to coincide with the visit to the Island by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Concern was expressed by some Members about the cost of the proposed holiday, particularly on small local businesses, those on zero-hours contracts and Islanders with healthcare appointments that might have to be rescheduled.
In the report accompanying the proposition, it was estimated that the cost of paying public sector employees for a day was around £2.5 million, but that this was not an additional cost.
The estimate for covering shift payments (including backfill /overtime for time off in lieu) for staff working on that day was approximately £700,000, the report noted.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said he believed “the overall benefits to the Island will shine forth” if the holiday was adopted.
