This week saw me and other chief officers engaging with colleagues from Scottish Canals and Transport Scotland. These sessions are a useful way of building good working relationships, learning from each other and working in partnership to achieve shared objectives.
Both were really productive meetings but I want to focus on transport for this update. We all know that transport is a key issue for the area. The Rest and Be Thankful and ferries might be the first things that come to mind but they aren’t the only issues.
Transport is also key to the growth of the area. At our meeting we talked about the role it has to play in relation to:
• Renewables, clean energy production and grid enhancements
• Aquaculture expansion
• Whisky and spirits expansion
• Forestry and timber transport
• Tourism and our annual influx of 2.6 million visitors
• Defence industries and the capital renewal at Faslane
• Housing building
We also talked about the role of transport in the delivery of health, care and education services. It’s yet another example of how every service in our area is interlinked. Having a chance to convey that to senior officials in Transport Scotland really helps to build a greater understanding of our needs.
The other reason I wanted to talk about transport is to thank everyone who stood ready to respond to storm Ashley. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as expected but our crews were out clearing gulleys, removing debris and resilience teams met with partners over the weekend to ensure we were ready for anything. Lots of this goes unseen by many people but it’s important to recognise the vital work that our teams do every single day.
This latest storm warning brought to mind the storm we dealt with just over a year ago, which saw much of the area cut off by flooding or landslips. That showed just how capable our teams are in an emergency, and how resourceful we need to be as we continue to deal with the impacts of that weekend.
On a different topic, this week marks Care Experienced Week in Scotland where the theme this year is ‘Belonging and Connection’.
I want to highlight the work of our dedicated Care Experience Education Team. Their focus on helping to support our care experienced children and young people is having a positive impact on inclusion and helping the council to #KeepthePromise. The promise is a commitment from Scotland to all care experienced children and young people that they will grow up loved, safe and respected. Their work sits alongside that of schools and wider education colleagues. Together you are making a big difference to so many of our young people. Thank you for all your hard work.
Have a lovely weekend
Pippa
Pippa Milne
Chief Executive
