Attempts to close schools early to halt rising coronavirus cases in North Ayrshire were snubbed in talks – despite Tier 4 measures now planned to fight a new mutant strain.

The council's leader complained the government snubbed attempts to close schools and put remote learning in place for the last three days – with North Ayrshire now having the highest rate of cases in Scotland.

However, parents were informed on Sunday that schools would remain open as usual after councillors had previously agreed an emergency motion to request the move to remote learning at last week’s Full Council Meeting.

Council Leader Joe Cullinane said it was ‘regrettable’ parents were not given more notice and understood many would not be sending children to school under the circumstances

He added the Scottish Government referred NAC back to national guidance – that schools should remain open other than case-by-case closures such as St Matthew’s.

Cllr Cullinane said: “At a special COSLA leaders meeting I got the chance to raise the issue with the Scottish Government for a third time direct with the Deputy First Minister. I said a combination of the local circumstances, North Ayrshire currently having the highest rate of COVID-19 cases in Scotland, the new lockdown announced to deal with the new strain and the fact we are talking about the last three days of term justified our request, Again, we were referred back to the guidance.

“I asked council officers to make online learning resources available to all parents who wish to keep their children off for the last three days of term, I already know lots of parents have made that decision themselves, but to satisfy the Government’s concerns about the impact on working parents or those who need school as an extra support that it be publicly communicated that school buildings would remain open.

“The email is worded in a cautious way, taking into consideration the guidance and the Government’s position all week, but the decision we have effectively taken is to acknowledge that parents will make their own decision on school this week and we find that entirely acceptable in the circumstances.

“It’s been a frustrating week. If we had got the support of government, for what we believe was an entirely justified position, the council would have given everyone plenty of notice.

“Regrettably, tonight’s communication was late and as it’s an official communication, the council can’t say what I would really like to say to parents.”