Worcester City Council made history last night as Council Leader Lynn Denham extended well wishes to Liberal Democrat group leader Jessie Jagger, who will become the first councillor and group leader in the council’s 200-year history to take maternity leave under its Parental Leave Policy for Councillors.
This landmark policy was introduced in February 2023 under the joint leadership of Councillor Marjory Bisset (Green) and Councillor Lynn Denham, the council’s first-ever female joint leaders. 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 (SRA) during their leave. Arrangements are also in place to appoint temporary replacements for roles covered by SRAs to maintain continuity in council operations.
Councillor Tom Piotrowski was the first to benefit from Worcester City Council’s parental leave policy, taking paternity leave following its introduction in 2023.
At Last night’s meeting Council Leader Lynn Denham said: “I am really pleased we now have in place parental leave policy for councillors. She has done an excellent job stepping up to the plate as leader of the LibDem group and I have really valued her contribution during this civic year”
Councillor Jessie Jagger has expressed her gratitude, saying: “I want to thank the council for all their support” and also thanked the council for her supporting her motion remote attendance a few months ago which she hopes will “soon be a reality”. She also announced that Cllr Karen Holmes will be serving as Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Cllr Sarah Murray as deputy group leader in her absence.
A few months ago, Cllr Jessie Jagger’s motion called for amending the Local Government Act 1972 to allow remote attendance for councillors, ensuring inclusivity for those with caregiving or health challenges. The government, through Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, announced plans to permit remote attendance and proxy voting, with a public consultation launched to finalise the proposals.
