Teachers and education officials praised for commitment and flexibility
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Caithness councillor Nicola Sinclair has praised teachers and education officials for the commitment and flexibility they have shown since the start of the coronavirus crisis.
She was speaking this week at a virtual meeting of Highland Council's Caithness Committee, having been elected as its new chairperson.
The executive chief officer for education and learning, Paul Senior, gave an update on preparations for the return of pupils and staff to schools after the summer break. It followed an announcement by Deputy First Minister John Swinney that the Scottish Government is aiming for a full return in August, subject to Covid-19 scientific and health advice.
Councillor Sinclair (Wick and East Caithness) said: “It is heartening to see the commitment, flexibility and excellent work our teachers and education officers have done over the last four months.
“They have been under an enormous strain not only to find new ways to support parents and pupils, but also to plan for the safe reopening of our schools in August. We really appreciate the huge amount of work they have done and will do all we can to assist them.”
Members asked about school transport provision, especially in terms of shared public transport services in the area. Mr Senior explained that a transport subgroup is looking at the issue and working closely with transport providers.
He also pointed out that a Highland Council web page has been created which includes frequently asked questions for parents and children, and it will be updated as new information becomes available.
Caithness ward manager Alex Macmanus, who has been managing the Wick Covid-19 support hub, gave an update on the humanitarian response to the pandemic. The Wick hub, one of 10 across the region, has been open five days a week to provide support for the most vulnerable individuals and groups across the county.
Of the 260 cases referred to the hub since the middle of April, 90 per cent have been passed on to community groups.
Caithness Voluntary Group's senior development officer Allan Tait gave councillors an update on the community response.
Twenty-nine groups in Caithness have been providing support including food deliveries, help with social isolation, shopping, collecting and delivering prescriptions and dog-walking, as well as distributing supplies of hand sanitiser.
He spoke highly of all the groups and the volunteers who have rallied round, adding that the focus is beginning to turn to recovery and preparing for future challenges such as the furlough scheme ending in October.
Councillors were unanimous in their praise for council officials and third sector volunteers for their commitment and hard work during the pandemic. They unanimously passed a motion of thanks, describing the response as “inspirational and humbling”.
Councillor Raymond Bremner (Wick and East Caithness) won unanimous support for a motion stating that the committee “recognises the ongoing challenges in Caithness in respect of void housing stock”.
Councillor Bremner explained: “Since I was elected, we have had report after report from the local housing team with the same issue highlighted and it is clear that our area committee needs to strengthen the resolve to our void housing issue in Caithness.
“The housing team are doing what they can. Following a recent meeting, I am confident that we will bring a new collective focus to this issue.”
Summarising the meeting, Councillor Sinclair said: “It was really dynamic and constructive, with a number of action points adopted and two successful motions brought forward.
"I think we all feel a sense of renewed enthusiasm to work together and make progress.”
