This is the list of documents available for the submission Emergency motion by Councillor Thomas Kerr:- "Council notes that the Scottish Government's Coronavirus Strategic Framework received Parliamentary approval on Tuesday and sets out Scotland's strategic approach to suppress the virus to the lowest possible level and keep it there, while we strive to return to a more normal life for as many people as possible. Council understands that the Framework moves to a strategic approach to outbreak management based on 5 levels of protection and acknowledges the statement of the First Minister of Scotland as well as engagement from Scottish Government Ministers indicating that from 2nd November the City of Glasgow may be placed into Tier 3 - the second highest level of restrictions. Council notes that higher levels of restrictions - Tier 2 and above - are intended to be in place for relatively short periods (2-4 weeks) and only for as long as required to get the virus down to a low, sustainable level. Council notes that existing, broadly comparable restrictions to Tier 3, have already been in place for several weeks in Glasgow and businesses affected currently have no clarity on when they should begin preparations to reopen their premises. Council acknowledges the package of financial support to businesses affected by restrictions within the Strategic Framework. Council notes that despite the Scottish Government's commitment to matching the level of business grants in England there has been no comparable guarantee to backdate to August the financial support Scottish businesses can expect to receive. Council considers that, despite the package of financial support within the Strategic Framework, there is far more that needs to be done to support businesses in Glasgow. Council recognises the reaction to the Strategic Framework from industry bodies including the Scottish Retail Consortium who have criticised plans to close non-essential shops in Tier 4 in these terms: "we believe any move to close non-essential retailers will have only a very minimal impact on reducing the spread of the virus whilst carrying very significant economic harms...Any attempt to close non-essential stores during the golden Christmas shopping quarter may mean many are unable to reopen, having missed out on this vital trading period." Council further recognises Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, who has said "We cannot stress enough how essential it is that businesses have as much clarity on restrictions on trading as is possible…The support available for business will be essential as restrictions continue and we urge governments to ensure it is allocated efficiently and effectively over the coming weeks and months." Council notes that the UK Government has increased the Scottish Government's budget by £7.2 billion to tackle Coronavirus, on top of Scotland's access to UK-wide schemes, including the recently enhanced Job Support Scheme, a doubling of the self-employment grant, and 79,000 businesses in Scotland accessing £2.9 billion from UK Government Coronavirus loan schemes. Council further notes that £700 million worth of funding to the Scottish Government from the UK Government allocated at the beginning of the month has yet to fully laid out. Council believes that the Scottish Government should work closely with the UK Government in order to ensure funding gets to businesses as quickly as possible and recognises that in light of the ever-changing situation, further funding might have to be made available from the Chancellor and in that event, the Council would resolve to ensure that money would be guaranteed from the UK Government as has been the case throughout the pandemic. Council further resolves to write to the First Minister of Scotland asking that she utilises monies and the powers available to the Scottish Government to enhance the economic package of support for businesses immediately affected by Coronavirus restrictions in Glasgow and to ask that she provide further clarity for the city's businesses by ensuring any change in Tier Level is communicated well in advance through the creation of a Coronavirus Business Council to give premises time to plan and adapt and additionally to ensure that business support is made available as soon as restrictions come into force in order to protect jobs and livelihoods.".

Click on the links to view the individual documents in PDF format.