An extra day off is set to become a contractual pledge for council workers in Hyndburn.

In 2010, the-then council leader, Cllr Peter Britcliffe, introduced a Big Thank You day for the authority's staff.

The additional day's leave that year, in recognition of good work, was given on Christmas Eve.

Since then it has become the custom for the day off to be taken on the last working day before the council's festive shutdown.

This has continued every year, except for 2020, when Covid restrictions brought the practice to a temporary halt.

Today the council's management review committee, under a report drafted on behalf of Cllr Britcliffe, the borough's acting council leader, will consider making the extra day's leave a contractual obligation.

Kirsten Burnett, the council's policy head, says in the report: "The additional day has only been announced in November each year, meaning there has been uncertainty amongst staff about whether they are going to get it each year, and among managers who need to know if the building will be open, or need to plan operational cover for the remainder of the leave year.

"There has been a growing sense that it has become custom and practice after so many years, and that if it were to not be given, there could be cause for complaint or damaged morale.

"There is also a background of staff recruitment and retention difficulties in some key areas, where there is increased competition for staff across local government and other sectors.

"While Hyndburn cannot always compete on salary, there is an opportunity to improve other staff benefits, and annual leave is something we know people value."

Cllr Britcliffe had asked for the day's leave to be consolidated into staff contracts, in confirming the same arrangement for 2023, the report adds.

The committee has been recommended to accept the proposal and amend future contracts accordingly.