EAST Ayrshire Council is set to decide whether to hold an extra public holiday to mark King Charles III’s coronation in May.

The council’s cabinet will meet this week to consider the proposal for a public holiday on Monday, May 8, two days after the ceremony itself. 

Similar proposals are being put before the councils in South Ayrshire and North Ayrshire.

A report to the cabinet states: “On November 8, 2022 the Government announced an additional bank [public] holiday to mark the coronation of King Charles III. Downing Street confirmed the UK-wide holiday will fall on Monday, May 8, 2023 after the coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6.

“The Scottish Government has confirmed it wants to give as many people as possible the opportunity to join the celebrations and grant this day as a Public Holiday.

“The COSLA [Convention of Scottish Local Authorities] guidance outlines that whilst the award of any additional holidays has to be determined by individual councils, it should be considered that there could be adverse implications for morale if employees do not benefit from the extra holiday to celebrate this type of event.”

The council says the extra holiday will come at a cost of around £65,000 due to the need to pay for cover for essential services. 

The report will go before the council’s cabinet tomorrow (Wednesday).