9.
Under reference to paragraph 14 of the Minute of Moray Council dated 27 June 2019, Councillor Alexander sought an update on the Business Support Officer post.
In response, the Chief Executive confirmed that the recruitment process had started and the post had been advertised but was unclear as to the current status of the post and agreed to seek an update from Education and Social Care and get back to Councillor Alexander following the meeting.
Under reference to paragraph 14 on the Minute of the Moray Council dated 27 June 2019, Councillor Warren sought an update in relation to fresh food processing certification in the event of a no deal Brexit and whether extra Environmental Health Officers would be employed to ensure the required certification could be processed to ensure fresh food processing would not be affected in the event of a no deal Brexit.
In response, the Chief Executive advised that the update was covered in the earlier response to Councillor Coy’s question regarding the guidance received from the Scottish Government in terms of risks as this was a risk identified in the national framework and the Council have responded to that.
Under reference to paragraph 14 of the Minute of the Moray Council dated 27 June 2019, Councillor Ross sought an update on the Essential Skills and ESOL services.
In response the Chief Executive advised that members had asked a number of questions with regards to the Essential Skills and ESOL services which there are now answers too and the response was given to Group Leaders as a matter of courtesy. A report to the next meeting of Moray Council will now follow.
The Corporate Director (Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure) further added that a compendium report on the issues will be presented to the September meeting of Moray Council.
Councillor McLean asked the Chief Executive if he could circulate his response to all Councillors regarding the update on the Business Support Officer vacancy.
In response the Chief Executive said he was happy to update all Councillors.
Councillor Brown requested a response on what steps the Council are taking, if any, to mitigate the cessation of the 340/341 Bus Service run by Deveron Coaches in September 2019.
In response the Corporate Director (Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure) confirmed that she has asked officers for a response to the issue and is awaiting a detailed response. She further added however, that her understanding is that the Council does not subsidise from its own funding streams, commercial bus routes and from memory this bus route was under threat previously but developer obligation funding could be diverted to resume the service and that if the developer obligation funding have now been exhausted then the Council would revert to the previous policy decision and the bus service would be withdrawn and the Dial a Bus network would take effect.
Councillor Alexander sought an update on the provision of a pedestrian crossing on the Orchard Road and St Catherines Road junction in Forres.
In response the Corporate Director (Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure) stated that there is a potential funding gap for the works at that junction but indicated that an update would be sought from the Transportation Manager on the works.
Councillor Ross asked whether the Council could sustain transport services in Moray.
In response the Corporate Director (Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure) stated that officers are working hard within the financial constraints to provide a transport infrastructure in Moray and some of the solutions within that lie at a national level and some lie at an individual level.