Renfrewshire Council chiefs have revealed they would need to delve into existing savings to deal with the impact of the coronavirus.
Bosses have said any impact on services as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak would be met through the existing budget and reserves, but they have not revealed how much cash they would inject into any contingency arrangements.
Last week the council confirmed a £440million budget for 2020/21 with major sums of money set aside for a new Paisley Grammar and Thorn Primary in Johnstone, tackling climate change and helping people with drug and alcohol addiction.
It is understood the emergency committee – which oversees the activities of the council in a crisis such as this – has agreed to meet on Friday.
Council leader Iain Nicolson has insisted there are “robust” continuity plans in place for essential services and staff are being warned they could end up working from home in the near future.
Cllr Iain Nicolson said: “We are working closely with the NHS and Scottish Government in relation to coronavirus and are fully prepared and ready to respond in line with the latest national guidance.
“We are providing regular information and advice to the local community, including how to reduce the spread of illness by following the Catch it, Bin it, Kill it advice, and we have robust business continuity plans in place to ensure our essential services will continue to be delivered across Renfrewshire.
“We are providing regular information and advice to prepare staff for any potential changes to their working arrangements, including working from home if required, and, on a case-by-case basis, we will work to ensure their employment is not adversely affected through following the national guidance for coronavirus.
“Anyone within the council, including our schools, who shows symptoms of coronavirus is advised to self-isolate for seven days in line with the latest guidance and report this to us as soon as possible.
“For latest up-to-date information and advice, please visit www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus.”
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The Gazette understands if council staff are diagnosed with the virus, this will be recorded as a sickness absence, while if they are forced to self-isolate but have not displayed symptoms, this would be recorded as an authorised absence.
With regards to schools, the council has said online learning opportunities are being developed in case any are required to close, but no closures have been confirmed yet.
All school events such as trips and parent’s evenings have been called off and schools will decide individually on whether to hold extra-curricular activities.
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