Kernow/Cornwall: Saint Piran's day holiday campaign update

Pensans/Penzance Town Council have announced to the League today that they will now offer their employees an annual holiday in celebration of Saint Piran's day on the 5th March.

The news comes following a Celtic League campaign to persuade town and city councils in Cornwall to follow Bodmin Town Council's lead, by offering their employees a day off to celebrate Saint Piran's Day. The Celtic League has written to all Town Council's in Cornwall, as well as Truro City Council, asking them to adopt an annual holiday for their staff for Saint Piran's Day.

Saint Blaise Town Council also stated to the League in April 2008 that they wanted a Saint Piran's Day holiday to come into effect, but would wait to see how other councils in Cornwall would react first before making a decision. Truro City Council have also debated the issue several times since the League asked them to consider the option and the Council's Finance and General Purposes Committee will vote on the issue on 9th June 2008.

In a letter to the Committee a Truro City Councillor and Celtic League member last week wrote the following letter in an attempt to persuade members further to vote to make 5 March a holiday for Truro City Council staff every year. The full text of the letter can be found below:

«Dear Finance and General Purposes Committee,

As a Truro resident and Truro City Councillor I fully support proposals to make 5 March a holiday for Truro City Council staff every year until further notice, with the same measures as an ordinary public holiday. Popular support for similar motions in other parishes and this parish should indicate that this would be a much welcome move for the Council to take. The performance of Truro City Council services is held in much regard by the public and a 5 March holiday would compound such esteem for its staff.

Studies show that holidays can have an advantageous impact on productivity - please note that the United Kingdom has one of the fewest numbers of bank holidays within the European Economic Area - therefore the costs aforementioned in previous Council meetings would be worth it.

Yours faithfully»

Supporters are also requested to write to the Finance and General Purposes Committee at the address below to urge members to support the proposal:

Truro City Council Municipal Buildings Boscawen Street Truro TR1 2NE

info@...

The League will continue its campaign to lobby other Town Councils in Cornwall to give their employees a day off in celebration of Saint Piran's.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

06/06/08