Council PPE bill 27 times more during Covid
Perth and Kinross Council spent over 27 times as much on PPE during the first year of the pandemic compared to the previous year.
The results were revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request made by the Blairie’s sister title, the Perthshire Advertiser.
PPE has been used across several council services to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
More than half a million pounds was spent on PPE equipment from March 17, 2020 to March 16, 2021 – up from less than £19,000 the year before.
Spending on face masks rose by 312 times as much as the previous year.
From March 17, 2020, to March 16, 2021, £262,313 was spent on masks, up from just £842 in the previous 12 months.
Spending on gloves rose from £15,929 to £237,170 while face
shield spending went from just £72 to £3153.
The council had to fork out £7646 for visors, having previously not spent anything on them, while the £6259 spent on aprons was up from £2016.
The council’s services team said PPE prices fluctuated throughout the year due to supply and demand.
The FOI response said the council disposes of its PPE by double-bagging it and disposing it in accordance with Covid guidance.
PKC has also noted an increase in its cleaning and associated costs particularly in schools.
Tayside Contracts reported a £488,300.05 increase in costs, while Mitie reported a £1102.50 increase.
PKC confirmed the Scottish Government had provided various funds and grants to deal with additional Covid costs incurred by local authorities.
The FOI response said “some of these funds will have been utilised to meet the costs of additional PPE and cleaning costs”.