Council to focus on essential services
West Lothian Council is set to focus on delivering essential services due to the impact of the COV19 coronavirus.
The council will concentrate resources to make sure vital services are maintained, with greatly reduced staffing levels expected in the coming weeks.
National modelling estimates that councils will see absences of at least 50% over the months ahead due to the combination of illness, self-isolation and leave to care for family following the national decision to close schools.
Staffing levels and the council’s ability to deliver services is an extremely serious issue and huge emphasis is being placed on planning and emergency contingency measures.
Guidance has been given to council staff on coronavirus in line with government advice, asking those with symptoms to stay at home for seven days and other family members for 14 days. Staff in the higher risk groups, such as those who are pregnant or have an underlying health condition, have been asked not to attend work and make arrangements to work from home, if possible.
Essential services such as careline, social care, care at home, waste collections, social work, essential housing repairs and care for vulnerable people will be among the key services which are prioritised.
The Council will continue to focus on our statutory duties under the Civil Contingencies Act. To enable this, the Council is suspending responses to enquiries or complaints about our service provision and will instead be focusing our efforts to prioritise our statutory services, caring for the vulnerable, cooperating with our Resilience Partners and supporting economic recovery.
Chief Executive Graham Hope added:
“Whilst our ability to deliver all the current services will be affected in the coming weeks, our dedicated staff will make every effort to ensure that essential services can continue and those who need our help can get it.
“The situation is very complex, with guidance coming from national government on a daily basis. Despite all our advance preparations, we will need to react dynamically as the situation develops.
“We would appeal for residents to be patient while we work through the impact of any updates and we will confirm details of service changes as soon as we practically can. We would appeal for residents to only contact the council only if necessary to allow staff to concentrate on the priorities. We thank everyone for their support.”
Leader of West Lothian Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “This is an unprecedented situation and will have a huge impact on the council’s ability to deliver services.
“Our focus must therefore be on making sure that the essential services continue, while following the advice from Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government.
“We will continue to work with our partners to ensure the vital council functions that underpin our society can continue, as well as taking care of our most vulnerable residents. Local residents are thanked for their understanding as we concentrate on our core functions during this global emergency.
“It’s been heartening to see the positive reaction in our communities, with people coming together to give support to those in need. We are working to coordinate third sector and volunteers to support the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
Please remember, regular updates for members of the public are available on the internet.
West Lothian Council is set to focus on delivering essential services due to the impact of the COV19 coronavirus.
The council will concentrate resources to make sure vital services are maintained, with greatly reduced staffing levels expected in the coming weeks.
National modelling estimates that councils will see absences of at least 50% over the months ahead due to the combination of illness, self-isolation and leave to care for family following the national decision to close schools.
Staffing levels and the council’s ability to deliver services is an extremely serious issue and huge emphasis is being placed on planning and emergency contingency measures.
Guidance has been given to council staff on coronavirus in line with government advice, asking those with symptoms to stay at home for seven days and other family members for 14 days. Staff in the higher risk groups, such as those who are pregnant or have an underlying health condition, have been asked not to attend work and make arrangements to work from home, if possible.
Essential services such as careline, social care, care at home, waste collections, social work, essential housing repairs and care for vulnerable people will be among the key services which are prioritised.
The Council will continue to focus on our statutory duties under the Civil Contingencies Act. To enable this, the Council is suspending responses to enquiries or complaints about our service provision and will instead be focusing our efforts to prioritise our statutory services, caring for the vulnerable, cooperating with our Resilience Partners and supporting economic recovery.
Chief Executive Graham Hope added:
“Whilst our ability to deliver all the current services will be affected in the coming weeks, our dedicated staff will make every effort to ensure that essential services can continue and those who need our help can get it.
“The situation is very complex, with guidance coming from national government on a daily basis. Despite all our advance preparations, we will need to react dynamically as the situation develops.
“We would appeal for residents to be patient while we work through the impact of any updates and we will confirm details of service changes as soon as we practically can. We would appeal for residents to only contact the council only if necessary to allow staff to concentrate on the priorities. We thank everyone for their support.”
Leader of West Lothian Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “This is an unprecedented situation and will have a huge impact on the council’s ability to deliver services.
“Our focus must therefore be on making sure that the essential services continue, while following the advice from Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government.
“We will continue to work with our partners to ensure the vital council functions that underpin our society can continue, as well as taking care of our most vulnerable residents. Local residents are thanked for their understanding as we concentrate on our core functions during this global emergency.
“It’s been heartening to see the positive reaction in our communities, with people coming together to give support to those in need. We are working to coordinate third sector and volunteers to support the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
Please remember, regular updates for members of the public are available on the internet.
