Covid-19 virus cost West Lothian Council £7 million in additional funding

West Lothian Council  has made “significant progress” in settling equal pay claims, it said this month.The statement came as Scotland’s local government watchdog has praised councils for their progress in settling equal pay claims, but says they expect councils to maintain their focus on unresolved cases.The 32 local authorities in Scotland have spent £1.3 billion settling cases of pay inequality between male and female staff.

Coronavirus could cost South Lanarkshire Council more than £20 million in just six months.The full cost of the crisis is still unknown, but reports due to go before the executive committee yesterday (June 24) highlighted a £21.3m coronavirus black hole in the first half of 2020.Officers arrived at that figure after considering all the costs of the council’s response to the pandemic and the support received from government so far.Even before the costs of the pandemic are considered, the council

“I want schools across Scotland to sign up to the Challenge when it launches in August so that we can keep sharing the joy of reading for generations to come.”Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, added: “It was fantastic to receive so many submissions to the First Minister’s Reading Challenge despite the restrictions of lockdown.“Pupils, parents, and teachers have come together to celebrate books and develop a reading culture within their schools and local communities.

Names have been chosen for three new West Lothian schools.The names of new denominational and non-denominational high schools for Winchburgh and new non-denominational primary school at Calderwood, East Calder, were determined at the meeting of West Lothian Council Education Executive on Tuesday (June 23).Following feedback from relevant stakeholders, the meeting decided upon the following names for the schools:The denominational high school is to be named as Sinclair Academy dedicated to the

Council bosses are now planning for pupils to return to schools full-time following a government climbdown today.Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced schools will return full-time in August if Scotland continues to make progress on suppressing coronavirus.The government u-turn follows revolt across the country at plans to have some pupils in class for as little as one day a week, including in West Dunbartonshire.This afternoon, West Dunbartonshire Council confirmed it is now revising its

Plans for a phased return to school after the summer holidays will see some pupils in the classroom for just one day a week.West Dunbartonshire Council published their blueprint for a “blended” return of in-class and at-home learning from Wednesday August 11 last week for all 12,542 pupils in the area, with primary age students returning for two days a week - and completing a mixture of work set in class and online on the other three days.Pupils in S4, S5 and S6 will also attend physical classes

Residents at six local care homes were delighted to receive a cash gift from a generous couple who want to give them a treat once lockdown is over.Lynn and David Thomson wanted to “put a smile on the faces” of people who have been isolated in care homes unable to see their families since the middle of March.So they set up a Crowdfunding page to raise money to provide a special celebration for residents.The couple managed to raise £631, which has been split between six care homes – Crofthead in

West Lothian pupils will spend two days in school each week and two-and-a half days being taught at home by parents.Council bosses have written to parents and carers advising them on the plans for most students returning on August 12.The council is planning for the start of the new term on August 11, in line with all other councils in Scotland.However this will be an in-service day when schools will be closed to pupils and a second in-service day planned for Monday, August 17, will not take

Officers are appealing for information following a theft in Armadale.Between the hours of 8pm on Saturday (June 6) and 1.30pm on Sunday (June 7), a man entered a house in Marches Drive in Armadale and stole a purse from within.The suspect is white, aged between 30 and 40 years of age, around six feet tall, short brown hair, with a gaunt appearance and lesions on his forehead.He also had a tattoo on the left side of his neck, described as three rows of text.Constable Matthew Morran from Bathgate

on June 5. Floyd, Arbery, and Taylor were all killed this year in senseless acts that have led to national outrage and protests surrounding police brutality and systemic racism.West also created a 529 college savings plan, according to , for Floyd's 6-year-old daughter, Gianna, and to help with legal costs for the Arbery and Taylor families.

A Forbes headline from earlier this year declared that "Kanye West is now officially a billionaire (and he really wants the world to know)." This was further backed up by the magazine's new "The Celebrity 100" list it unveiled today (June 4), placing West as the highest-paid musician in the world and the second-highest paid celebrity.

A new report is predicting a bleak future for almost a third of West Lothian’s workforce.

The impact of the COVID-19 crisis could cost Perth and Kinross Council £50 million.

Aldi has announced plans to create 35 new jobs at a new store in West Lothian.

Thousands of West Dunbartonshire residents have benefited from council support during the coronavirus pandemic.

People in East Calder have been treated to the unlikely sight of a dinosaur roaming the streets during lockdown.

A family from West Lothian are fundraising to help pay their vet bill.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were warning people to be extra cautious at the weekend after the heatwave sparked wildfires in West Lothian.

Police are appealing for information after a man and a woman were seriously assaulted in Whitburn.

Whoopi Goldberg fears she may have contracted a coronavirus similar to Covid-19 after her battle with pneumonia last year.