4.
Councillor Ross sought clarification on whether there is any money from the Scottish Government forthcoming to assist with the back to schools programme.
In response Councillor Leadbitter confirmed that the formula used to distribute funding is not a Scottish Government formula but is agreed by COSLA. He assured Councillor Ross that he continues to raise issues of funding with the Scottish Government and COSLA and will continue to do that.
The Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) further added that many of the funds mentioned by Councillor Ross are allocated on poverty indicators and as Members will know rural poverty is difficult to reflect and areas like Moray do not attract a lot of such funding.
Councillor Eagle asked whether work is being done within the Council's Sports and Leisure facilities to ensure that they are in a good position when the announcement is made that the Council can look at re-opening them.
In response, the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) confirmed that a range of work including risk assessments is being carried out in the background working towards the recovery and renewal in Moray to allow the re-opening of leisure facilities when allowed.
Councillor Alexander requested that the newly re-named Forres Credit Union, now Moray Firth Credit Union is widely promoted by all Elected Members. During the current period the Credit Union has supported many vulnerable citizens in Forres. He further asked that Moray Council provide some support to the Credit Union.
In response the Chief Executive confirmed that he had heard about the expansion today and assured Councillor Alexander that this was a piece of interrupted business that had been affected by the lockdown and the business will need to be picked up again along with a number of other items which have been affected by the current situation.