Councillors who are mums have called for a maternity policy review for staff and elected members

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) representatives identified a need for the local authority to include further leave and allowances for parents of premature babies as both staff members and elected councillors.

Belfast City councillors have recently voted in favour of amending maternity leave provision for staff, pending a report, though members themselves have not been included.

Bringing forward the proposal, Castlereagh East DUP councillor, Sharon Skillen said: “There should be a review of maternity leave for council staff when mothers have premature babies.

“It should be considered that when there is a premature baby that a mother is given compassionate leave and that the time should not be reduced from their maternity leave.

“Our policy at the moment states that maternity leave will commence the day following birth, no matter how many weeks this is at.

“Where we have a mother who has given birth at 25 or 30 weeks we as a council shouldn’t put pressure on mums and dads.

“In most cases when a baby is born very early they require hospital intervention and lengthy stays.

“I was fortunate, my baby was born at 39 weeks and my maternity leave consisted of learning to breastfeed and baby clubs and enjoying being a new mum.”

The proposed review of the council’s maternity leave policy gained support in chambers with an additional request to include elected members who give birth during council term.

Castlereagh South Alliance councillor, Fiona Cole added: “This is something that is particularly close to my heart at this moment.

“I would ask that any review of maternity for employees also looks at elected representatives as well.

“At the moment mothers who are elected reps don’t have any rights unless I am mistaken.

“There is a need to look at statutory maternity allowances.

“At this time if a mother was to miss six council meetings, there could be a demand for her to vacate her position.

“There should be the ability for proxy votes for councillors on maternity leave.

“The first 1,000 days of a child’s development is vital and there is a lot of pressure on parents.

“When (Belfast councillor) Kate Nicholl breastfed her baby in chambers she said it was a precedent that she didn’t want to have to set.“There needs to be a reasonable expectation to reset the rules.”

A private members’ bill is currently making its way through the House of Lords, which would mean parents could take up to an extra 12 weeks of paid leave if their child is born prematurely.

However it would not apply to Northern Ireland where employment law is a devolved matter.

The CEO of the local authority, David Burns responded: “There needs to be proper engagement with trade unions and other associated organisations on the matter.

“It needs to be properly explored and a review brought back to the council.”