Select a region
It will cost the public purse an extra £700,000 if Jersey gets a bank holiday when King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit the Channel Islands next month.
It was confirmed this week that the Government is proposing a public holiday to mark the visit of Their Majesties on Monday 15 July "to enable as many islanders as possible to enjoy the day".
The Council of Ministers yesterday lodged an amendment to be debated in the States Assembly which highlighted the potential cost of the day off to the public purse.
The cost of paying public staff who would have otherwise worked on the day amounts to £2.5 million.
However, the report explains that "this is not an additional cost to the States".
If the bank holiday is approved, the cost for covering shift payments for staff working that day would be around £700,000.
This includes backfill, overtime, and time off in lieu.
Deputy Farnham said that the public holiday would benefit certain sectors of the economy, especially the hospitality industry.
This is because the proposed public holiday would coincide with the final of the UEFA European Football Championship and the final Monday of the school term for most schools.
The Royal Visit is set to include a special Sitting of the States Assembly and the Royal Court in the Royal Square followed by a large-scale, open-air exposition in the vicinity of Weighbridge Place and Liberation Square that will showcase the best of Jersey.
Full details of the day will be shared in due course.
Guernsey confirmed earlier this week that a public holiday will be held to mark the visit of Their Majesties to the island on the following day, Tuesday 16 July.
Jersey could get bank holiday for royal visit
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.