NALC seeks councillors' views on time off for public duties

We are encouraging working-age (18+) parish and town councillors to complete a survey to help shape our response to the government's consultation on time off for public duties.

People who undertake public duties make a vital contribution to their communities and play an important role in delivering public services. Current legislation gives employees carrying out certain public duties, including councillors, school governors and magistrates, the right to reasonable time off work to help them balance their employment with their public service responsibilities.

The Department for Business and Trade is consulting on potential changes to these provisions, including whether: special constables should become entitled to reasonable time off for public duties, people carrying out eligible public duties with a clear local focus should gain the right to reasonable time off, and people carrying out public duties for national public sector organisations should no longer be entitled to this right, as these roles may not align with the legislation's original locally focused purpose.

The government is not proposing to remove the existing right for councillors to take reasonable time off work for public duties.

If you are a working-age (18+) parish or town councillor, please complete the survey and share your views. The survey closes on 30 July 2026.