Council services hit by action

Aug 20 2008 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

NURSERIES, special needs schools, libraries, museums and community centres will be closed today (Wednesday) due to the strike by public sector workers.

However, North Lanarkshire Council have pledged to continue providing essential services during the national one-day walkout by members of Unison, Unite and the GMB over pay issues.

Residential homes for children and elderly people will have emergency catering arrangements and minimum staffing cover, while Meals on Wheels will continue for vulnerable residents who receive the service each day.

The community alarm service will operate in emergency situations, and the emergency repairs and social work services will respond to urgent and priority calls.

All primary and secondary schools are open with mainstream school bus services still running – but there will be no rubbish collections from homes or commercial premises.

North Lanarkshire chief executive Gavin Whitefield advised residents to use the council’s website or phone lines to stay up to date during the strike.

He said: “As details of the services affected become clearer we will pass on that information, keeping people as fully informed as possible, but the situation will be extremely changeable.

“I would urge anyone who intends to use a council service today to check its availability beforehand.

“This is very much a national issue, affecting councils right across the country, but we are committed to doing all we can to minimise disruption to services in North Lanarkshire.”

For further information, log on to www.northlan.gov.uk; emergency social work services can be contacted on 01698 332139, 332114 or 332137 from 8.45am-4.45pm, and West of Scotland social work services can be contacted on 0800 811505 after office hours.