COUNCILLORS in North Ayrshire will be entitled to maternity leave in North Ayrshire for the first time. 

Politicians agreed to the changes at a meeting of the full council last week.

They also confirmed that there will also be two weeks paternity leave for councillors or nominated carers and six months adoption leave.

Previously elected members had no right to family or maternity leave as they are not considered council employees. The new rules means they will be able to spend time with their children while still getting paid.

While  senior councillors are on family leave, political groups will be able to appoint replacements during their absence.

A paper presented at the council meeting said: “Allowing family leave has positive benefits in terms of supporting those with the protected characteristic of maternity to become a councillor and to balance that role with family life. It also supports the European Convention on Human Rights right to family life.”

The new policy adopted by the council has been recommended by the local government organisation COSLA. 

The proposal came after work was carried out on the barriers to achieve more diversity among councillors. 

The council paper added: “While those elected to public office are not employees, introduction of a scheme for family leave helps remove one of the perceived barriers to becoming an elected member.”

Constituents in North Ayrshire will go to the polls next year to elect 33 new councillors but changes to current boundaries have been put forward.

There will also be a by-election later this year after the resignation of Joy Brahim.