We have an information request -see below –
1: Whether your local authority offers special leave / public duty leave for council staff to fulfil public duties relating to the emergency services. Such duties include: retained fire fighters, special constables, on call NHS / Community responders, search and rescue workers, the RNLI and any other emergency services workers. it does not include jury service or armed forces, or sitting on a health authority board / committee.
Devon County Council do not offer special leave/public duty leave relating to emergency services duties.
2: If the local authority offers such special leave for the emergency services, is it paid or unpaid? If it is paid, how many days / hours are offered per calender year?
Notwithstanding our response to question 1, unpaid leave could be requested if all other leave had been exhausted.
3: If the local authority pays staff to take such leave, for a copy of this policy. And the number of staff who have taken the leave between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017 (broken down by ’emergency service’ in part one.
Following our response to question 1, this question is no longer applicable.
4: If the local authority does not offer such special leave, whether there are plans to introduce such a policy.
There are currently no plans to introduce such a policy.