27 March 2020

Media round-up for Friday, March 27, 2020

This round-up is intended to keep the media briefed on the COVID-19 impact on Council services across Aberdeenshire. The public can keep up to date with changes online at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/featured-items/coronavirus-covid-19/


National Position

Following the First Minister’s speech yesterday, the Scottish Government has issued new updates on the enforcement of social distancing measures. For more details on Government regulation, visit: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/.

There is also a free phone number for those who do not have symptoms but are seeking general advice: 0800 028 2816.

All the latest public health advice continues to be available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus


Education and Children’s Services

Arrangements for free school meals for those in need
Families eligible to receive free school meals – not those offered universally in P1-3 – are to receive a payment to cover the cost of these (£12.50 per child per week) directly from Monday, 30 March. Payments will be sent in four-weekly instalments during term time and the first is due to reach families next week.   
  
The Council is able to make this payment to families in the same way as is done for school clothing grants. This only applies to families who are eligible for clothing grants too.   
  
We have decided to continue the service in this way until further notice to ensure we comply with the social distancing advice now in place and to ensure equity of service provision for all of our families across Aberdeenshire. This approach will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. 
 
If you are facing financial hardship and believe you may now be eligible for free school meals, please apply online through our website. Eligibility is usually based on whether you are in receipt of one of the following qualifying benefits or allowances: 

Children from families within the following categories may also be eligible:

If you are not able to apply online, contact us on 01467 533400. 


Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership
 
These are anxious times indeed as we settle into a very different world. Unfortunately, some of that anxiety is being directed towards some of our staff, particularly around what PPE they should be wearing and when. Our staff are as concerned about keeping your loved ones safe as you are and will always follow the national guidance on what to wear and when. That guidance states that our Homecarers should only wear PPE (face masks, aprons and on occasions, goggles) when they are going into someone’s home who has symptoms associated with COVID-19.

To make sure everyone is kept as safe and shielded as possible we need everyone to play their part and that means that if you or your loved one has any of those symptoms (fever, persistent cough) please be honest with us and let us know. We will continue to support and look after you, but we need to do that with the minimum amount of risk to you, our staff and our other clients. 


Winter Roads Maintenance: Footways

Due to Covid-19 issues and the requirement to focus on other critical works activities and in order to redirect staff resources to critical tasks, Aberdeenshire Council has taken the decision to cease winter maintenance of footways forthwith.

Looking ahead at the next 6 to 10 days, temperatures look likely to remain below the seasonal average. Some overnight frosts are likely with an indication for sleet and snow showers pushing in from the North later next week.

Whilst we realise this may cause some inconvenience to customers, we feel sure that under the current circumstances everyone understands the need to take these measures.

We will continue to provide winter maintenance to our roads in the usual manner.
As I am sure you know, Government guidance and the Council's response to Covid-19 issues changes rapidly, so further advice may be issued as the Covid-19 situation develops.

For more information about our approach to winter maintenance please refer to the following website page: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/roads/maintenance/winter-maintenance/


Parks and Open Spaces

Playpark closures
Following the Scottish Government’s advice on social distancing, all playparks in Aberdeenshire are now closed to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Circus, Funfair and Open Space Bookings
Whilst Aberdeenshire Council parks and open spaces currently remain open we are following the Government’s advice on social distancing, and have made the decision to cancel all funfairs, circus and organised events bookings on land Aberdeenshire Council is responsible for until the end of May 2020.

This is a rapidly changing situation; further advice may be issued as things develop.
We know this will be disappointing for many people, but our first priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone within our communities


Infrastructure Projects

Work on the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme is due to pause in order to follow UK and Scottish Government guidelines regarding the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
A review will take place today (Friday March 27) to ensure the site is secure and all necessary flood protection measures are in place as outlined in the Project Flood Action Plan.

A McLaughlin and Harvey spokesperson said: “We have been communicating regarding the evolving situation we find ourselves in relating to COVID-19.  The world we live and work in is a very changed place from even a few weeks ago. At the forefront of all our minds is the health and wellbeing of our families and colleagues and we have tried to ensure working practices protected employees whilst our site remained open.  We have now agreed to a ‘pause’ in the works to align with the rest of society and close down for a period to lessen the impact of this virus.”

“There will be a small project team who will remain to carry out security checks and respond to any adverse weather so don’t be alarmed if you see workers onsite. I would ask the public to allow them to carry out their duties and to keep a distance as recommended by national guidance.”

Aberdeenshire Council’s Principal Engineer Rachel Kennedy added: “Whilst we would like to see the scheme progress, we fully accept that the safety of residents in Stonehaven as well as those working to protect the local community must come first.”

If there is an emergency, please call the Community Liaison Number 07867193124 and if you have any questions please email Stonehaven.community@mclh.co.uk.

Network Rail’s board recently announced it is halting a number of projects, including Kintore Station. Contractors will ensure that the site remains safe during the closure.
The opening of a new station in Kintore is part the Scottish Government’s Aberdeen – Inverness Improvement Project – a phased upgrade of the railway infrastructure between Aberdeen and Inverness.


Waste

Support from public on social media
Following yesterday's update on the “Recycling and Waste Aberdeenshire” Facebook page about the Council’s necessary changes to waste services, the Council received an overwhelming amount of support from the public, praising frontline staff for their dedication and hard work during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Link to post: https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenshireWaste/posts/2885754228192433


Aberdeenshire Council Payments

In line with the Government’s Covid-19 guidance, Aberdeenshire Council offices are currently closed to the public. We’re currently unable to accept cash or cheque payments, but card payments can still be made online at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/pay or by phoning the automated payment line 03456 081201 Choose Option 1.


Area Committees: Formartine and Kincardine & Mearns

The Formartine and Kincardine and Mearns area committees, which took place on March 24, are now available for the public to watch on our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO9F6fCTToNPcfZ5SS9OHGVLb_AGI62Oz

For more information on the Formartine and Kincardine and Mearns area committees and committee members, including agenda papers, visit: