Agenda item

Jenni Craig, Service Director Customer and Communities gave an SBC update on the Covid-19 current position.   Mrs Craig explained that Covid-19 had recently accelerated significantly with an increase in positive cases, partly due to the highly transmittable variant of the virus which was present in the Borders.   Mrs Craig emphasised that it was essential that everyone followed the current guidelines to stay at home and minimise face to face contact.   Referring to Covid-19 testing, Mrs Craig advised that due to the high case numbers, particularly in the Hawick area, a Mobile Testing Unit had been deployed to the Teviotdale Leisure Centre.  In addition, a walk-in test facility had been opened at the Langlee Complex in Galashiels for symptomatic testing.  Booking for tests was via the UK Government online portal.   The Council was also involved in discussions with partners about the potential for asymptomatic community testing facilities in the Scottish Borders.  In terms of SBC services, there was currently no direct impact over those already in place from the Level 4 period.   However, the need to continue to deliver essential frontline services and give support to communities might result in staff being deployed to support other areas, for example the care service, which would result in other services having to scale back operations.  Mrs Craig then discussed the Community Assistance Hubs (CAHs) explaining that they remained operational to co-ordinate support with community groups and partners within localities.  Mrs Craig then advised that there had been changes to education provision with online remote learning being provided for all pupils.  In-school support was still available to support key workers and vulnerable children.  Mrs Craig advised that any teacher or key worker’s child testing positive would have a major impact on the school setting, therefore places had to be booked online and applications were considered on an individual basis.  Any planned Senior Phase Assessments would be postponed and carried out when possible with appropriate preparation time provided.    With regard to Live Borders, their facilities were closed.  Live Borders membership had been kept updated and digital services ranging from online fitness classes to online library access continued to be offered and could support home learning.  Regarding support to businesses, there was a range of funds available and the Council continued to work closely with South of Scotland Enterprise (SoSE) to ensure support was made available to businesses.  Information was available on the Scottish Government website at ‘Find Business Support’.  Mrs Craig concluded her presentation by advising that anyone within the community requiring assistance should contact 0300 100 1800 to access support through the CAHs.   In response to questions, Mrs Craig advised that she would investigate the lack of acknowledgements for business grant applications submitted through the SBC website.  Mrs Craig would also feedback to NHS colleagues publicising Mobile Testing Unit availability the Teviotdale Leisure Centre as a suggestion for a venue for testing and the access limitations at Hawick Town Hall.  She would also feedback concerns that people were not abiding by the Covid-19 guidelines and that clarity on travel and a visible police presence was required to stop cross border visits for example at the Seven Stanes.  The Chairman thanked Mrs Craig for the informative presentation. 

(Note: Following the meeting the presentation slides were forwarded to the Area Partnership circulation list)