Post-lockdown planning at council
income in respect of council tax, business rates, and housing benefit overpayment collection as well as additional cost pressures on budgets. The risk of additional costs incurred in responding to Covid- 19 not being met by the Scottish Government as well could lead to failure to deliver the agreed West Lothian Council medium term financial plan.”
The report added: “As the Test and Protect program is rolled out there is a risk that employees could be required to self-isolate which could impact on the ability to deliver services. This will be a higher risk if employees are unable to adequately socially distance at work, as that could mean a number of staff in the same service having to self-isolate for 14 days.” An HR officer told the meeting: “There is a potential for disruption to the workforce as the test and protect continues over the coming months.”
Chief executive Graham Hope’s report concluded: “A number of these services established in the emergency response are likely to have to continue for some time.” The HR officer added: “Officers continue to assess risks.”