HISTORY has been made at Worcester City Council as the first councillor takes maternity leave in its 200-year history.
Coun Jessie Jagger, Liberal Democrat group leader, is the first member of the council to make use its new Parental Leave Policy for Councillors.
This landmark policy was introduced in February 2023 under the joint leadership of Coun Marjory Bisset and Coun Lynn Denham, the council’s first-ever female joint leaders, for the Green Party and Liberal Democrats respectively.
The policy was developed to promote diversity in local government, ensuring councillors can balance family life with public service. It provides up to six months of paid leave for councillors who give birth or adopt children, with additional options for shared parental leave and paternity leave.
The policy, which aims to make council roles more appealing to younger and more diverse candidates, ensures councillors continue to receive their basic allowance and any Special Responsibility Allowances during their leave.
Arrangements are also in place to appoint temporary replacements for roles covered by SRAs to maintain continuity in council operations.
Coun Denham said: “I am really pleased we now have in place this parental leave policy for councillors. Jessie has done an excellent job stepping up to the plate as leader of the Lib Dem group and I have really valued her contribution during this civic year.”
Coun Karen Holmes will be serving as Liberal Democrat group leader and Coun Sarah Murray as deputy group leader in her absence.
