Statement by East Ayrshire Council:

As a result of the strike by Local Government Employees on Wednesday 20 August 2008 the majority of East Ayrshire Council Services will not be available on that day. The Council has been involved in negotiations with the trade unions to ensure that life and limb services will continue to be provided, along with other vital services, during the strike.

Only a limited number of exemptions have been agreed with the Trade Unions and these are detailed below. All mainstream educational establishments will be closed to pupils due to the industrial action, so parents and guardians should make alternative arrangements and should not present their children to schools and nurseries on Wednesday.

The Trade Unions have granted exemptions to the industrial action for certain support staff who work with vulnerable pupils with identified additional support needs in Special Educational Needs bases attached to schools and in some early years establishments. Parents/ carers of pupils who attend such facilities will be contacted direct by the Head Teacher of these establishments to explain provision available on this day for those identified pupils.

There will be no refuse collection service on Wednesday 20 August and the Civic Amenity site at Western Road, Kilmarnock will also be closed.

Bins normally collected on a Wednesday should not therefore be put out for uplift. Residual waste bins should be placed at the normal collections point on Thursday and they will be uplifted over Thursday and Friday. Paper and garden waste bins normally uplifted on Wednesday should be placed on Monday 25 August and they will be uplifted over the next two to three days. Black boxes should be presented at the next scheduled collection dates however local recycling sites will be available throughout.

The scheduled collections for Thursday and Friday of this week will take place as planned.

Only key emergency services will be provided during the industrial action.

Only in the event of an emergency please call 08457 240000.

The agreed exemptions are as follows:-

• Residential provision in Ross Court, Kerrmuir and Berryknowe
• Residential staff in Montgomery Place, Kilmaurs and Sunnyside
• Personal Carers in the Home Care Service
• Community Alarm
• Two team managers to cover child protection
• Mental Health Officer
• Registration - offices for booked wedding ceremonies only
• Emergency Roads and Lighting operatives
• Homeless hostels