Council responds to more than 500 complaints about breaches

A new Covid-19 regulatory team at Perth and Kinross Council has responded to more than 500 complaints.

The team comprising staff from environmental health, trading standards and food safety dealt with a range of complaints related to issues including concerns about lack of compliance with physical distancing regulations.

It has made 600 checks on establishments during the pandemic.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “A number of staff were redeployed into a number of different roles during lockdown, often to help some of our most vulnerable residents, and we are extremely grateful for their efforts.

“Duties included in social care, supporting children’s activity centres, creating and delivering food parcels, pharmacy collections and deliveries and supporting Test and Protect.

“Although most Perth and Kinross Council staff have now returned to their substantive roles and we are moving into the recovery and renewal phase, the recent shutdown of 2 Sisters showed the council must still be able to respond to the challenges presented by coronavirus.

“A wide range of staff from across the council were involved in ensuring the wellbeing of all employees was maintained.”

As part of efforts to deal with the Covid-19 cluster at the 2 Sisters poultry processing factory in Coupar Angus, council officers were involved in translating guidance into as many as 17 different languages.

Conservative council leader Murray Lyle said: “It’s not easy finding folk that can do that.

“It has been logged and is there for others to use.”