Scotland

Phil Fairlie, Assistant General Secretary for Scotland, reflects on the past 12 months

As mentioned in our last general update we are keen to continue this communication source, so we hope the following is helpful.

As we head into the summer months and, at the time of writing, the EURO 2020 football tournament having kicked off, can I offer my condolences to our colleagues in England and Wales for their poor showing in the tournament, and congratulate Andy Robertson on his Freedom of Scotland award for captaining us to a memorable victory over Italy in the final.

The SNC have booked Perth Civil Service club for a Communications meeting, to take place on Tuesday 27^th July.

As I think back t o the beginning of this global pandemic, never in my wildest dreams did I t hink it would have gripped the world in the way it has, nor do I think y ou would have.

Following our meeting this morning the SNC have reluctantly decided that there is insufficient assurance or certainty around us being able to stage our annual conference planned for October this year, and this circular is to inform you that we have decided to cancel it until next year. 

As per POAS circular 22/21, Jim McCabe and I are on an NCRG subgroup to get a date agreed for staff returning to Pre COVID attendance patterns.

Please find attached the branch allocation for the Scottish National Committee. 

As you will be aware staff testing has been rolled out across the whole estate and available in each prison for those who wish to volunteer to be tested.

A subgroup has been set up from the NCRG with a view to looking back over the past year and more to establish what has been learned, and what opportunities that may offer up to change how we do some of what we have traditionally delivered, and what the future may start to look like as we go forward.