Summer work for councillors

Perth and Kinross councillors could work right through the summer recess this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

SNP group leader Cllr Grant Laing said Perth and Kinross councillors should be available to constituents during these unprecedented times.

He believes councillors taking a break for six or seven weeks would “just not be right.”

And he appeared to gain support from other groups when he mooted the idea to the PA this week.

Cllr Laing said:“I think there will be a lot of financial decisions that will have to be made once we come out of this and councillors should be available.

“Council officers who have been working long hours should be entitled to annual leave.

“Everyone has been making some sort of sacrifice and for us to go off for six to seven weeks is just not right. We should be there and accountable right the way through.”

Cllr Laing believes members can still meet virtually.

PKC’s recent planning and development management committee meeting held virtually was deemed such a success.

Council leader Murray Lyle said other councils had asked how it was done.

The Conservative leader believes councillors would be enthusiastic to get back to normal as soon as possible, but thinks meetings will have to be held virtually. He said: “There’s not one council operating normally or anywhere near it.”

Lib Dem leader councillor Peter Barrett said the Lib Dems would be happy to be available over the summer.

He added:“There is a need for elected member scrutiny and direction.”

Cllr Xander McDade from the Independent and Labour group also indicated they would all support this.

He said:“I won’t be going anywhere. We should be available at these times of crisis. That’s exactly what we are here for.”

Cllr Laing believes there would only maybe be one meeting a week.

He said:“It’s not like people will be jetting off to the sun or heading north and it sends a good message that we’re doing our bit. It keeps the information sharing going and does not leave a vacuum.”