Saints day holiday plan blocked

The UK government has rejected a St David's Day bank holiday

Swansea Council will not go it alone by making St David's Day and extra bank holiday for its staff.

But workers may be asked if they want to swap one of their existing days off at Christmas for 1 March.

Plaid Cymru raised the idea of an extra day off but councillors were told it would cost over £1m and a poll of firms in the city found most opposed it.

Instead it has been proposed staff will be asked if they would prefer to have 1 March off instead of 27 December.

Swansea Council will also lobby the Welsh Assembly Government to make Saint David's Day a national bank holiday.

The UK government has rejected previous calls for a Wales-wide holiday although it has been backed by assembly members.

More than half the businesses in Swansea who responded to a survey said they were against the council going it alone with only 18% in support.

The Plaid Cymru group raised the idea last year and won support for a study on the implications of giving council staff 1 March off each year.

City-wide festival

A report prepared by council officers claimed it would cost over £1m in overtime and enhanced pay and cause childcare problems for many parents.

But the Plaid Cymru group disputed the sums and put the cost at nearer £91,000.

It wanted to see a city-wide St David's Day Festival on 1 March.

It was agreed to survey the city's business community to gain its views and 500 companies were contacted.

Of the 116 that responded, 84% said they felt there would be no benefits to their business if council staff were given the day off.

The poll results showed 70% were concerned their staff would also expect an additional holiday and 29% were worried their businesses would be affected by the unavailability of council services such as planning and refuse collection.

Overall 53% were against it, 18% supported it and 25% were indifferent.

Anglesey Council already marks St David's Day with a staff holiday but it comes from existing holiday and flexi-time entitlement.