Fife Council plans taskforce to lead lockdown recovery

Fife Council is set up a task force to spearhead the region’s recovery after lockdown.,

The eight-strong group was rubber-stamped at this morning’s policy and co-ordination committee meeting which took place online - the first since the pandemic struck eight weeks ago.

It will feature three representatives from Labour and SNP - the parties which jointly run the administration - and two from the opposition benches.

A move to increase its numbers was defeated in a vote.

The council is facing a massive £30m bill from lockdown, and has warned the recovery will be long and painful.

Councillor David Ross, co-leader, said: “It is essential we get political governance up and running.

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“There are political decisions and policy issues to be made. We will be guided by Scottish Government and UK Government as appropriate, but it is for this council how it applies that advice to Fife.”

Cllr Ross said a small group would ensure clear focus on the region’s priorities as lockdown is eased, and other key officers and councillors would be drafted in as required.

Co-leader, Councillor David Alexander (SNP) said: “ We realise things will never be the same again. “

Councillor Altany Craik (Lab) said not including health spokesman, David Graham, was “a glaring mistake.”

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