NEWS UPDATE - 26 June 2020
It’s only been a few weeks since my last update but during these unprecedented times, so much has changed, it seems like a life time ago. In recent weeks we have seen a welcoming decrease in numbers of Covid-19 which has allowed further restrictions lifted. This weekend welcomed no new COVID-19 deaths for a second day running. On Friday, First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon said the fact no deaths were recorded on a week day was significant, as registration figures tend to be artificially low on weekends. There is no doubt, we have a long journey ahead with lots of learning along the way to be had, but I am sure you will agree with me the above is putting us on the right track and we are moving in a positive direction, however it is important we don’t get complacent. These past few months have been challenging for everyone, with many missing very important family events, businesses stuck in limbo and parents becoming teachers. From a council level, we have had to deal with things that only a few months ago, was not even on our radar and as a result, we have had to learn as we go quickly, following guidance and guidelines from the Scottish Government which I’m sure you will understand, hasn’t been without it’s challenges.
On Thursday 25th June 2020, Council was reconvened to appoint our new council Leader, Cllr Peter Henderson, after Cllr Douglas Campbell stood down, this also allowed us to move a step closer to resuming normal business and test our communication facilities for the possibility of live streaming/recording meetings.
Normally council meetings are open to the public, as they should be, however this meeting was conducted online and as such unfortunately was not available to the general public. This is something I am not happy about , as I believe public scrutiny is crucially important for elected members and I therefore hope the council, as a whole, take steps to ensure moving forward that online meeting with public access can be facilitated, not just because of the pandemic situation we find ourselves in but given the technological world we live in, I feel this is something that should be happening anyway. Minutes of this meeting will be published on the SAC website.
For the first time in South Ayrshire Council history, Councillors will not take summer recess. Usually during any recess period, no formal meetings take place although councillors are still available during this time for constituents. All councillors agreed not to take recess, meaning, as usual, we are available but can continue to assist during this uncertain time by holding meeting to make decisions if and when necessary.
It should be noted going back to the 24th March a special meeting was held due the initial impact of COVID-19, lockdown and shielding restrictions. Only 14 members were able to attend. Unfortunately, I was not one of them as I am in the high risk category. At that meeting there was a report submitted to approve emergency powers under delegated authority. This was to seek approval to enable effective decision making during the crisis. This report was agreed at this meeting and with immediate effect all council meetings were cancelled. As such powers were granted to the Chief Executive to make decisions in consultation with the three group leaders and an independent member. This situation would remain in place until August 2020. During Thursday’s special meeting we attempted to change this scenario to revoke these powers and return to full political governance. Unfortunately after pledging cooperative working, the Tory opposition choose to use this vote as political leverage, in a time of crisis, and not allow this debate to happen. This means that in the meantime all future decisions will continue to be taken by these 4 individuals, effectively locking out other democratically elected Councillors.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my colleagues Cllr Peter Henderson, Cllr Julie Dettbarn & Cllr Siobhian Brown on their new appointments.
I will be returning to my appointment of Vice Chair on the AVJB.
UPDATES
We’re good to go for tourism & hospitality businesses
Fergus Ewing MSP recently announced a new UK-wide-self-certification scheme to ensure tourism and hospitality businesses can demonstrate they are adhering to Scottish Government sector guidance and have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment has been launched. For businesses to obtain this certificate they must complete a self-assessment through an online platform - www.goodtogoscotland.com - including a checklist confirming they have put the necessary processes in place. Once complete, they will receive verification and access to the ‘Wer’e Good To Go’ mark for display in their premises and online.
Business Support Grant
The Coronavirus Business Support Scheme will now close on the 10th July 2020. No further applications will be accepted after this date.
Details on this scheme are available at :
https://beta.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/article/19562/Business-Support-Grant
Education - plans to return to school full time August 11th
This understandably has been a topic on many people’s minds. While I fully understand the concerns of parent(s) with their child/children being out of education for several months (will be nearly 6 months by the time schools return) It is imperative that the government and we, South Ayrshire Council, get this right. Safety is absolutely paramount for our young people. As many are aware, schools across the country, have spent an enormous amount of time working out schedules which complied with the 2 metre social distancing rule. As I said at the start of this, a few days can seem like several weeks and things can and do change very quickly. A few days ago, Education Secretary, John Swinney MSP, announced that if the suppression of the virus continues, schools can be back full time on 11th August 2020. He also announced an additional £100m towards education over a two year period. As it stands, South Ayrshire Council does not know what our allocation will be. South Ayrshire Council Education Department will continue to keep schools up to date while this situation progresses. Elected members will also be kept informed.
COVID-19 EarlyYears Resilience and Impact Survey (CEYRIS) Public Health Scotland Surveys
What are your feelings on childcare and schools reopening during the Covid-19 pandemic? Tell Public Health Scotland about this, and how life at home has affected your family's health and wellbeing in this national survey.
To find out more and take part go to : https://surveys.publichealthscotland.scot/index.php/754455?utm_source=survey&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=ceyris
Playparks open - Monday 29th June
Tomorrow, South Ayrshire Council will open playparks. Great news for families with young children. The grounds maintenance team have been extremely busy over the past week or so getting the parks ready to safely reopen. Please help us to keep you safe by following guidance when accessing play areas and outdoor gyms. If you arrive at a park that is particularly busy, please consider going somewhere else.
I have received several enquiries regarding the opening of public toilets. Unfortunately, at the moment we have no date. As with everything regarding lifting restrictions, we are taking the advice and guidance given from The Scottish Government. As soon as I have an update on this matter, I will share.
Birth registration update
Tomorrow, Monday 29th June 2020, the parent(s) of any child born up to the 30th April 2020 who require to register their baby should contact Ayr registration office on 01292 617617 to provide preliminary details prior to an appointment being made to attend. Please do not contact the office if your child’s birth is out with this time frame. Further blocks of dates will be published in due course.
WARD UPDATES
I have nothing major to report with regards to the ward.
Over the past few weeks, I have been dealing with the same issues on a weekly basis with regards to litter and anti social behaviour, especially from large groups of teens congregating.
I am pleased to say since Ayrshire Police Division published a statement last week announcing increased patrols within targeted areas, I haven’t received as many constituent complaints on this matter which is a positive.
With regards to litter, this is an ongoing issue and one that needs tackled – I am particularly disappointed to see items such as masks and gloves, which are used for protection against this virus, are becoming a major issue. It’s important to start educating individuals of the implications dropping litter including costs and environmental impact.
As restrictions begin to lift and when I’m confident it’s safe to do so I will be arranging a litter pick within the ward to kick start a weekly 1 hour litter pick and encourage those in the ward to participate. This can be done as a group or by yourself but just think how much ground could be covered if 15 individuals put an hour in to litter picking every week within the ward?
As ever, I am keen to hear your thoughts on things you would like to see from the council, vision for the ward.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch
Regards
Chris