Meeting Details

In terms of Standing Order 20 and the Councillor's Code of Conduct, there were no declarations from Group leaders or Spokespersons in regard to any prior decisions taken on how members will vote on any item on the agenda or any declarations of Member's interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

Councillors Morrison, Leadbitter, Alexander, Divers, Eagle, Gatt and Ross took part in the consideration of this item.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) informed the Cabinet of the services within Education, Communities and Organisational Development portfolio that have been developed and delivered during the Covid 19 pandemic to provide the response to the incident or to ensure continuity of critical council services.

During consideration of the report members sought updates on a number of the services currently being provided by the Council and partner agencies including:

Following consideration the Cabinet agreed to note the services within the Education, Communities and Organisational Development portfolio that have been developed and delivered during the Covid 19 pandemic to provide the response to the incident or to ensure continuity of critical Council services.

Councillors Morrison, Alexander, Divers, Eagle, Gatt, Ross and Taylor took part in the consideration of this item.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) asked the Cabinet to consider and agree temporary arrangements to determine appeals submitted to the Moray Local Review Body (MLRB) during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Taylor proposed removing the wording 'where possible' from recommendation 2.1 (i) as she felt that it was possible to hold the meetings virtually.

In regard to the temporary suspension of site visits, Councillor Alexander sought clarification on whether it was permissible for a member of the MLRB to make a site visit as part of their daily exercise.

In response the Legal Services Manager advised against Members carrying out site visits if the Cabinet agreed to temporarily suspend site visits.

Following consideration and as there was no one other wise minded the Cabinet agreed to remove 'where possible' from recommendation 2.1 (i) and subsequently agreed:

Councillors Morrison, Alexander, Divers, Eagle, Feaver, Ross and Warren took part in the consideration of this item.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) updated the Cabinet on changes to the Education Strategic Plan to take account of Covid-19 impact on service delivery.

Following a lengthy discussion, Councillor Eagle, seconded by Councillor Ross moved replacing recommendation 2.1 (ii) in the report with:

Agrees the revised plan, but recognises that the delivery of the plan is unlikely to meet Council expectations on both wellbeing and attainment as key priorities without additional capacity and therefore requests that the department for Education working in partnership with Children's Services (where services overlap) bring back a paper to the appropriate Committee prior to the new school term which addresses this concern.

Councillor Warren, seconded by Councillor Morrison proposed agreeing the recommendations as printed in the report.

On the division there voted:

Accordingly the amendment became the finding of the meeting and the Emergency Cabinet agreed:

Councillors Morrison, Leadbitter, Alexander, Brown, Divers, Eagle and Ross took part in the consideration of this item.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) informed the Cabinet of the current estimate of the financial impact of the Council's response to the Covid-19 outbreak, as reported to COSLA on 15 May 2020 for remission to Scottish Government as part of an overview of the estimated impact on Scottish Local Authorities and to raise other issues which will impact on the Council's finances.

Following consideration the Cabinet agreed to note:

Councillors Morrison, Leadbitter, Alexander, Brown, Divers, Eagle and Ross took part in the consideration of this item.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) informed the Cabinet of the impact on the economy as a result of Covid-19 pandemic, the support announced to date for businesses and employees and the preparations being made to plan for recovery and renewal of the Moray economy.

The Senior Officer Economic Strategy and Development updated the Committee on the following points:

Several members proposed membership for the Moray Economic Partnership however the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) proposed that as this was not requested in the recommendations of the report, the discussion should take place outwith the meeting and for Group Leaders to discuss with the Head of Governance, Strategy and Performance should there be more than 3 nominations..

Following consideration the Cabinet agreed to note the potential economic implications of Covid-19 on the UK, Scottish and Moray economies based on the latest analysis as well as the local, Scottish and UK responses, and endorse the preparations being made to plan for recovery and renewal of the Moray economy.

Councillor Alexander raised concerns about companies from outwith the area carrying out building work on the base at RAF Lossiemouth and staying locally.

In response the Head of Economic Growth and Development advised that Environmental Health are in contact with the accommodation providers to seek assurance that they are taking appropriate social distancing measures in their properties.

Councillor Alexander further raised an issue regarding the Pilot Boat in Buckie and the temporary commission of a replacement.

In response the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) confirmed that a report had been presented to the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee outlining the reasons that the pilot boat was deemed to be at the end of its workable life and confirmed that a report will be coming to Committee on proposals in the near future.

Councillor Ross sought an update on governance and the plan going forward to re-instate Committees.

In response the Head of Governance, Strategy and Performance confirmed that a report is being drafted for CMT to look at proposals going forward which would then be taken to a meeting of the Emergency Cabinet or Moray Council on or before 17 June 2020 when the current arrangements will be reviewed.  

The Emergency Cabinet joined the Convener in congratulating the newly appointed Depute Lord Lieutenants for Moray, namely Mrs Joan Cowe, Ms Margaret Stenton, Mr Alan James and  Mr John Stuart.  The Convener further congratulation John and Joan Cowe on the birth of their grandchild.