Councillorssogratefulto hard-workingstaff

Elected members at Perth and Kinross Council would like to thank staff for their hard work in tackling the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Over the past few weeks, a huge amount of work has gone on, both to keep essential services running and to set up completely new ways of working, such as providing childcare for keyworkers; putting arrangements in place to link volunteers with those most in need; paying out business grants and school meal payments; and supporting staff working from home.

The sheer scale of the task of moving an organisation of 5000 people, serving a population of 150,000, to remote and other safe ways of working, is breathtaking.

At the same time, it has become clear how many council services really are vital to our communities.

Looking after vulnerable people in care settings and in their own homes; helping our young people to learn using the latest technology; maintaining household refuse collections; and, sadly, our bereavement services – all are needed now, more than ever.

Officers working in services which are not one of the 18 essential designated services have come forward to be redeployed, delivering food and medication, re-training to provide social care, or joining our waste crews.

Looking at the people willingly stepping up to do what they can to help others makes us truly proud to be part of a council that puts public services first and foremost.

Many of our staff and councillors are also volunteering in their own communities, and we would also like to thank the very many community organisations and individuals who are helping to support vulnerable people across Perth and Kinross.

Also, a thank you to everyone continuing to follow government advice; only making essential journeys for work or food and medication; taking daily exercise and adhering to social distancing.

All your efforts are helping to keep people in our communities healthy and well.

This crisis has shown what we can achieve working together. Everyone is doing what they can – including those who have to stay at home, to protect their own health, when they would rather be out helping.

Every bin emptied, every emergency payment processed, every food parcel delivered, every person helped to wash and dress themselves, and every nonessential trip avoided, all add up.

We know that we still have a long way to go and are not at the peak of dealing with this crisis so our priority is and will remain, protecting and preserving human life. Together we will make it through this period and come out stronger. Thank you all and stay safe. All elected members of Perth and Kinross Council

working hard, as they always do, keeping residents well and clean.

The kitchen staff are also great, they don’t serve yucky gruel,

they cook us really yummy food, and keep us all well fuelled.

The cleaners, Steve and laundry staff, they really never stop,

every nook and cranny checked, in fact corona just get lost.

I’m wellbeing coordinator, treading many different paths,

Doing hair, nails, dancing, games, and making people laugh.

Our residents, what can I say, we love them as our own,

We will care and try to keep them safe, as they are family away from home.

So all of us are in the same army, fighting but not alone.

We pull together to keep Strathtay a corona free zone.

Strathtay Care Home who hang their washing out to dry have to get it in swiftly but those of us with breathing problems also have some big decisions to make. Stay in or go out and suffocate.

I understand that local authority waste disposal centres may need to be closed but these back garden fires are another health hazard.

I’ve probably got locked-down syndrome as well.

Joy Knight

Angus Road

Scone