Forres Community Council hears from Richard Lochhead MSP at virtual meeting

MORAY’S MSP praised local efforts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic at Forres Community Council’s (FCC) last monthly virtual meeting.

Richard Lochhead also fielded questions from community councillors on issues such as home schooling, broadband coverage, and delivery costs.

He said: “FCC provide a strong voice for the community, which is more important than ever at this time, and I pay tribute to our community councillors who give up their time to represent their area. I gave my view on the impact of Covid on our local communities and why it is important that we supported those most affected such as low income families and young people as well as those whose health is directly affected.”

Mr Lochhead pointed out that the local economy is vulnerable and needs ongoing support given the impact of Covid and other issues including Brexit.

He said: “We need a concerted effort to ensure Moray’s economy recovers going forward. Thankfully, there is now light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine being successfully rolled out. Many businesses are being supported by government grants. The tourism and hospitality sectors have been hardest hit which disproportionately affects Moray, so we will need strong community cohesion to recover.”

The SNP politician told the meeting he had been inspired by the community rising to the challenges of the pandemic over the last 11 months.

“I’m grateful to all the people who give up their time to help,” he said, “particularly the efforts to support the economy while saving lives. Cases continue to decline in Moray where the vaccine is being successfully rolled out.”

However, Mr Lochhead also highlighted the severe impact of the pandemic on particular groups in society. He said: “There is a bigger impact on women and young people. Education and mental health are also two issues being affected. The pandemic has exposed inequalities in British society. Low-income households are worse off. Self-isolation is a big burden so the Scottish Government has introduced a £500 payment to help those households.”

Asked about reduced attainment levels during home-schooling, he replied: “The issues are affected by social economic, external factors so it is frustrating when teachers and schools are blamed. I am confident attainment will improve over the coming months and Moray Council’s leader Graham Leadbitter has confirmed that the most recent statistics show improvement.”

Mr Lochhead argued that it was not just a simple matter of extra classes and tutoring.

He said: “An education recovery group pointed out that, to recover, young people need parties, the cinema, parks, as well as maths and English.”

On complaints from rural groups about the lack of superfast broadband coverage outside towns in the area, Mr Lochhead claimed the majority of the population ha the service.

He said: “Moray has the best support for superfast broadband but there are still gaps. Some properties are too difficult to reach with fibre, but the voucher scheme is there to plug that gap.”

Finally, Mr Lochhead called again for a review of “rip-off” postal charges to the IV postcode.

He said: “This region is paying through the nose but the UK government won’t intervene because of their strong free market beliefs. We need a legislation review but meanwhile customers should fight back and complain to retailers about excessive delivery costs.”

FCC’s chairman Shaun Moat is inviting key people from the area to talk at their meetings, on the third Thursday of every month.

He said: “So far, we also have Douglas Ross MP and Laurie Piper booked in. Community councils are non-political, but it is important to hear from our elected politicians and question them on key local issues.

“We have varied political opinions so there is no bias.”