Time off for community volunteering
7th October 2008, 1:33 pm
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has outlined plans “to make it easier for more people, from all walks of life, to volunteer for key roles in their local community”. Magistrates, school governors and members of health bodies or police authorities already have time off entitlements but the government is seeking views on extending the right to people serving in a wider range of civic roles.
Legislation is aimed for April 2009, but the consultation also considers non-regulatory ways to encourage people to take on roles in third sector organisations.
News release giving background at http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/976309, consultation document ‘Standing for Office: Time-Off Entitlements’, pdf 258KB, http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/976040.pdf. Respond by 19th December.