A special meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council will take place this week to discuss the significant rise in the area’s Covid-19 cases and the public authorities’ response to the situation.

The meeting, to be held by video link on Thursday, has been called at the request of the council’s opposition Labour group, who all signed a requisition calling for the subject to be considered as a matter of urgency.

Additional restrictions have been in place since September 2 across West Dunbartonshire, where the coronavirus infection rate is the highest in Scotland – and the fourth highest in the UK.

The Labour motion asks council chief executive Joyce White to “bring forward a report to a requisitioned council meeting, setting out the council responses, and those of the HSCP and NHSGGC, and to outline what additional steps are being taken to assist communities to reduce the infection”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made her announcement on additional Covid restrictions designed to limit the spread of the virus shortly after this issue of the Post went to press on Tuesday.

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It also asks Ms White to advise on the steps being taken to improve the availability of Covid-19 tests, and on the impact of the pandemic on local businesses, schools and education providers

The update has been brought forward by a week, originally scheduled for the ordinary council meeting on September 30, as Labour councillors forwarded a submission to hold a special session to discuss the significant increase in Covid-19 figures across West Dunbartonshire.

Labour councillors Martin Rooney, John Millar, David McBride, Douglas McAllister, Lawrence O’Neill, John Mooney, Gail Casey and Daniel Lennie all signed the motion.

It reads: “Our community is alarmed that the West Dunbartonshire Council area currently has the highest infection rate in Scotland and the fourth highest infection rates in the UK. 

“In addition, to advise what steps are being taken to increase the testing capacity from the current part time to a full time level to assist residents to get tested when required, particularly those without their own transport to get tested locally.”

The difficulties surrounding the financial impact of the pandemic on local businesses will also be discussed, as well as the impact the pandemic has had on education and the result of children returning to schools.

The council recently held an online community listening event on Tuesday, September 8 to gather the views and experience of residents who have been at the front line of the local response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The participants talked of increased community spirit and getting to know neighbours.