It’s a no-go for town hall votes
Alternative polling station venues being assessed
Council officers are looking at possible alternative venues for a polling station in Blairgowrie for the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
Blairgowrie Town Hall, which is traditionally one of a number of polling stations in the town, will be unavailable due to it currently being used as a Covid-19 vaccination centre.
The news came to light at the most recent online Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council meeting.
Perth and Kinross Council has identified four potential alternative venues for polling stations in the town – Blairgowrie Recreation Centre, Blairgowrie Parish Church on James Street, Blairgowrie LifePlus Church Hall on William Street and the Adult Resource Centre (ARC) on Jessie Street.
It is understood that the ARC is the preferred option and that a decision on the possible temporary polling place is expected to be approved by elected members on Wednesday this week.
The Scottish Parliament elections are due to take place on May 6.
Councillor Bob Brawn was at the community council meeting.
He said: “With the upcoming Holyrood election, and as the Town Hall is occupied as a vaccination centre, there is a need to relocate the polling station which is normally there.
“Other locations are being considered but I understand that officers have a preference for either the Recreation Centre or the Adult Resource Centre in Jessie Street.
“Both offer some off-road parking but, given it is closer to the Town Hall, I would assume the Adult Resource Centre to be the better choice.
“However, a final decision has yet to be made.”
Meanwhile, Perthshire North MSP John Swinney has said that public safety is the most important factor in deciding whether this year’s Holyrood elections go ahead.
Mr Swinney is due to stand for potential re-election to the Perthshire North seat.
The Deputy First Minister said: “While it should be noted that the power to decide whether or not the election proceeds does not unilaterally lie with the Scottish Government, it is my hope and expectation that the election will proceed as planned on May 6.
“Naturally, the most important consideration must be the health of the public and ensuring that they are not subjected to any unnecessary risk.
“However, as a result of the Scottish Government’s efficient roll-out of the vaccine and a steady reduction in case numbers, I am hopeful that we will be in a significantly better place overall three months from now.”
The Blairie understands that Coupar Angus Town Hall will also not be available for use as a polling station in May as it is currently closed and awaiting repair.
The preferred alternative option is St Anne’s Hall on Forfar Road and the issue is also to be considered at Wednesday’s online council meeting.
Naturally, the most important consideration must be the health of the public and that they are not subjected to any unnecessary risk
John Swinney MSP
Some east Perthshire pupils were back in the classroom on Monday this week as part of a ‘phased return’ in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the news to ministers during a coronavirus pandemic update at Holyrood on Tuesday last week.
As previously outlined, youngsters in nursery and pupils in P1 to P3 were the first to return to full-time learning at school.
Some of what was described as ‘senior phase pupils’ – those in S4 to S6 – are also allowed to return for in-school practical work that is necessary for the completion of national qualification courses.
In addition, the First Minister revealed the children of key workers would also continue to be educated in schools and more details of a mooted second phase of sending pupils back to lessons would be announced next week.
However, it appears unlikely there will be any further returns to school for those in other age groups before March 15.
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney is the Scottish Government’s education secretary.
The Deputy First Minister said: “As the First Minister has confirmed, we are making steady progress in our fight against Covid.
“Cases are falling both across the nation and locally in Perthshire, and the incredibly efficient roll-out of the vaccine has meant that 28 per cent of all adults in Scotland have now received their first dose.
“However, we are still in a very precarious position and therefore cannot
afford to jeopardise the progress that we have made by relaxing restrictions too quickly.
“With only limited room for manoeuvre, the Scottish Government has chosen to prioritise the phased return of children to education. This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to balancing the needs of young people with our overall responsibility to protect the public from this virus.
“I wish once more to extend my thanks to the local community for their understanding, and for the continued sacrifices that they are making to protect themselves and others.”
The First Minister said getting children back to education in the classroom may mean the rest of the nation living with some other restrictions for longer in what she described as a “trade-off we need to be willing to make”.
Ms Sturgeon said: “We will need to monitor the impact of this change very carefully before taking any further decisions.
“I want to be clear, though, that the need to properly assess the impact of this limited re-opening means we think it unlikely, at this stage, that there will be any further return to school before March 15.
“As we consider these issues, we are of course doing everything we can to ensure that schools are as safe as possible for children, and for the education workforce.”
At-home lateral flow Covid-19 tests will be available to pupils and staff twice a week, as part of a “wider package of inschool mitigations”.
Ms Sturgeon added: “We are also working with YoungScot to provide online information and support for senior phase pupils who want to take part in the testing programme.
“In addition, senior secondary pupils will be required to observe two-metre physical distancing while in school, and on school transport, in the period immediately after the return.”
Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Caroline Shiers is convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s lifelong learning committee and described last week’s announcement as “good news”.
She continued: “I would like to thank everyone from our nurseries and schools who have been working so hard to see these pupils return to school.
“I imagine the news is being met with a combination of nerves and excitement by children and, indeed, their families.
“Over the past weeks there have of course been children and young people in schools across Perth and Kinross, and teachers in school to support that those learning there and at home. This has been well-supported by our school staff and teachers.”
Cllr Shiers added: “I have been hearing from council officers of the work being done to prepare our schools and nurseries and have been hugely impressed by the planning that has been put in place to reduce risks and ensure the environments are as welcoming as possible.
“The challenges are different for the S4 to S6 pupils who are returning to complete practical coursework and, again, I would thank Bev Leslie and her team for all the work done at Blairgowrie High School.
“I had the opportunity last week to attend a virtual meeting where the practicalities were explained to parents and carers and it was interesting to hear the questions being asked by families.
“It has been a very long year for everyone and, with the vaccination programme well under way, we do now very much have that return in our sights and that is very welcome.”
The National Qualifications 2021 Group will soon publish further details on how qualifications will be awarded this year.
Ms Sturgeon revealed that the ‘stay at home’ message remains in place as current lockdown measures will continue until at least the beginning of March, and possibly for a further period beyond that.
She explained the Scottish Government is currently preparing a ‘revised strategic framework’, which will set out in more detail when and how Scotland might emerge from lockdown.
More details in relation to this could be outlined later this week, according to the First Minister.