South Ayrshire Council has been formally notified of industrial action on Wednesday 24th September 2008, by three Trade Unions, of which many Council employees are members that will affect Council services.
The industrial action is being taken as negotiations are ongoing to settle a national 2008 pay award. The Corporate Management Team is considering the implications of the industrial action but the full extent will not be apparent until Wednesday 24th September 2008.
The Council is taking all reasonable steps to maintain a range of services where possible, however a number of services will be affected which will include:
Schools
ALL Secondary Schools will be open, but only for S4, S5 and S6 pupils.
The MAJORITY of South Ayrshire Council Primary schools and Nurseries will be closed to pupils. Parents will be individually notified and further information can be found on the Council's website.
ALL evening lets of school premises will be cancelled.
Parents and carers will need to make alternative childcare arrangements.
****All pupils attending open schools will be required to bring a packed lunch****
Leisure, Libraries and Activity Centres
Information regarding leisure, libraries and activity centres can be found on the Council's website.
Refuse Collection
It is unlikely that a full refuse collection will take place - however, a limited collection service may be provided on that day.
Householders who would normally receive a collection on Wednesday should place their bin out for collection on Wednesday as normal. If the bin is not emptied it should be put out again the following day (Thursday) and, if necessary, again on Friday.
Please note that glass boxes should not be presented for collection on Wednesday. Glass boxes will not be collected until the next blue or brown bin collection day. Should this present any problems, you may dispose of glass at your local recycling centre or glass bank.
The Council's Community Recycling Centres are available at:
Port Ranald Drive, Troon
Old Farm Road, Heathfield, Ayr
Seaton Street, Maybole
Bridge Street, Girvan
Social Services
There will be no day services for adults, no day services for older people, and no disability resource centre service and the South Ayrshire Homecare Services will be limited to the provision of Personal Care.
Social Work offices will not be open to the public, however in the case of an emergency please telephone 01292 281993.
Anyone who requires emergency assistance on a child protection issue should telephone 01292 612729.
Housing & Emergencies
The area housing offices will be closed however the following emergency services will be available:
EMERGENCY REPAIR SERVICE - this should only be used in extreme circumstances such as burst pipes or no lighting.
Tenants who feel that they have a genuine emergency should telephone: 0845 719 0019.
This number should not be used for repairs that can wait until normal services are resumed.
GAS ESCAPE - anyone who has a gas escape should contact Transco direct on telephone number 0800 111 999.
HOMELESS PERSON - any homeless person in need of immediate assistance should contact our homeless standby service on 0808 100 3151.
For further information about Council services on the day of the industrial action please log on to the Council's website at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk and listen to West Sound radio for the latest updates.