Councils need cash for virus crackdown MSP demands more help from Holyrood

A Tory MSP called for more support to be given to councils to deal with venues not following Covid-19 rules.

Mid Scotland and Fife representative Alexander Stewart welcomed last week’s announcement that councils will be given additional powers to close down pubs and cafes that do not comply with the guidance, including the ability to close down all pubs within a particular postcode.

But he warned that cashstrapped local authorities will need greater suppport from Holyrood to deliver the new power in the face of increased financial and manpower pressures.

Mr Stewart said: “This new responsibility for our local authorities is very welcome and is necessary in order to maintain control of this virus but councils are already struggling to fulfil the existing responsibilities they have been given by this SNP government.

“Our local authorities, including Stirling Council, are facing an enormous financial black hole and a shortage of manpower, with most councils only having a handful of enforcement officers to cover their entire geographical area.

“If the SNP government is demanding even more from councils they must, as a matter of priority, give them the financial resources that they require to do the job that is asked of them.”

Police will also have the power to break up large indoor gatherings, such as house parties, amid concerns that such events have a particularly dangerous potential of spreading the virus.

The new regulations are expected to be put into force on Friday.

Announcing the changes last week, Nicola Sturgeon said the enhanced powers would be used as a last resort and in cases where a flagrant breach of the rules had taken place.

She added: “We believe that both of these new powers are necessary to continue to suppress the virus. If the virus is present at an event like that there is very high likelihood that people at the event get the virus.

“That is why we advise strict limits on indoor gatherings.”

No more than eight people from a maximum of three different households should be meeting together indoors, either in homes or in pubs and restaurants.