Highland Council arranges a last minute special meeting on Covid levels
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Highland Council will hold a special meeting tomorrow morning for members to formally consider and debate the tier system and offer a recommendation on what level the region should be placed on.
Last week, the Scottish Government confirmed that it would launch a five level system ranging from zero with the least restrictions to four with the most as part of the country’s Strategic Framework for Covid-19.
The council is now being asked to consult and briefings have already been held with members and senior officials both within the council while NHS Highland are understood to be involved also.
Councillors will make a recommendation tomorrow before the Scottish Parliament meets on Thursday to debate the measures which if agreed would take effect from Monday.
Convener Bill Lobban said: “Yesterday the chief executive and senior officials held on-line briefing sessions with elected members to review the planned 5 tier protection system.
“The consensus from these sessions was that members wanted more time to consider some significant matters and have a further opportunity to get across their clear views on behalf of the local communities they represent.
“I am pleased that the special meeting tomorrow will give us all the chance to come together to formally consider and debate Scotland’s Strategic Framework and get our response sent to the Scottish Government ahead of the debate due to take place in Parliament on Thursday.”
Council leader Margaret Davidson added: “It is good that we are now getting more local information from the government and I hope the Highlands will be put in a low risk tier.
“From the briefings we had yesterday I know many councillors share concerns over a number of issues including household visiting restrictions and travel bans. We need to consider impacts in the short, medium and long term.
“The meeting tomorrow will allow us to capture all comments from members and pass this feedback on to the Government so it can be considered as part of their debate.”
The Highland Council special meeting will start at 9am tomorrow and it will be webcast for those wishing to follow developments.
