Virus-hit depot to stay open
enable bingo halls to operate safely up to protection level 2.
“However, it remains the case that the past year has put bingo halls – along with most businesses – under severe financial strain. I am also the first to recognise that these venues are crucial to older people in promoting social interaction, benefiting mental health and wellbeing.
“The Scottish Government has made available funding for businesses that have either had to close or which have been severely impacted by restrictions. In addition to this, Stirling Council has received over £800,000 in discretionary funding to target those businesses that are struggling under the circumstances.
“I will continue to make the case for more financial support for local businesses, however the ability of the Scottish Government to commit more funding is mostly dependent on the amount passed down from the UK Treasury.
“I look forward to this week’s Scottish Budget, which will need to focus on supporting our communities and industries through the remainder of this pandemic crisis.”
Bannockburn bus depot is to remain open, despite calls from a leading union for it to close, following a coronavirus outbreak there.
The Observer last week told how First Bus was forced to cut services over a staff shortage as a result of the Covid outbreak at the Cowie Road depot.
A total of 28 staff – including drivers, management and support staff – of the 129 employees at the depot tested positive for the virus. A number of others were deemed close contacts and instructed to self-isolate. All other staff at the site have now been tested.
Unite the Union is now urging First Bus to close the depot immediately and to provide full-pay for all those workers where it would be unfeasible to work from another depot or who are having to self-isolate due to the outbreak.
Graeme Turnbull, Unite industrial officer, said:“this is a timely reminder of the considerable risk and sacrifice that our members and all transport workers undertake on a daily basis to ensure key workers and our communities function in these challenging times. It is also vitally important that the company conducts an immediate investigation to understand how the virus has been able to take hold and spread across the workforce.”
In response, Andrew Jarvis, managing director for First Midland, says that the firm has worked closely with NHS Forth Valley from the first positive case being uncovered. He added:“we have been in full contact throughout with our Unite the Union representatives locally who have been in full agreement with the steps we have taken to ensure the safety of our colleagues.
“All Bannockburn-based staff attended for asymptomatic testing last week and I’m delighted to report that the overwhelming majority of the team tested negative. This looks to have helped stop the spread further coupled with added additional safety measures on site on the advice of NHS Forth Valley.
“We reduced the bus service levels operating from the depot from last Friday to ensure people could rely on the services we were advising were running, ensuring we had enough members of staff available to operate services. This outbreak demonstrates how vital people working in the bus industry are to ensure public transport journeys continue to operate for both key workers accessing their place of work and for those making essential journeys, perhaps for caring responsibilities or food shopping.
“There are currently no plans to close the depot given these mitigating factors we have put in place to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. In fact, we are now starting to plan for increasing service levels again as soon as possible.
“I would like to pay tribute to the whole team, who continue to work hard, and especially our fantastic driving staff out there on the frontline, who are providing a lifeline to allow our key workers to move about safely.”