SCHOOLS throughout West Fife are set to shut and council services are expected to be disrupted by strike action next week.

EIS members and other public sector unions are set to take industrial action on Wednesday and with 12,700 Fife Council workers a member of a union, the effects will be felt throughout the Kingdom.

It's not known how many council employees will take part in the strike, but the local authority is expecting widespread disruption on the day.

Executive director of education, Kenneth Greer, said the council would do its best to keep schools open where possible but with teaching and non-teaching staff involved in the strike, significant disruption was inevitable.

He said, "If we can open a school, we will. We may even partially open some schools to specific classes.

"While we can't know the full level of disruption until the day, we will be sending a letter home to all parents on Monday detailing which schools we expect to be open or closed.

"This will be based on the best information we have but I'd ask parents to remember that the situation could change and everyone should use the alerts system on the day to check for closures.

"I would encourage parents to think about their options for childcare in case it's needed and to make sure their contact details are up to date on their Fifedirect alerts account." A "large number of staff" from social work services are also expected to support the strike action.

Rona Laing, head of older people's services, said, "On 30th November we will be running an emergency service only.

"This means that those most at risk of harm, or who pose a risk to others, will be prioritised.

"A limited home care service will be running, together with community alarms, and falls response team and emergency helpline.

"We are sending information to service users who may be affected by disruption on 30th November and asking them to consider with their family and friends alternative support arrangements." She apologised for the inconvenience and asked those struggling to find alternative care and support to contact the service as soon as possible.

The social work contact centre is available for emergency calls on 441177 (9am-5pm) and 08451 550099 (5pm-9am). The homeless emergencies line, 08000 286231 will still operate 24 hours.

West Fifers who have a bin collection that day are advised to put out their bins as normal and leave them out until they've been emptied, which might be the next day.

Those who use council-run buildings, like libraries, local offices and community halls, are encouraged to sign up for facility closure alerts by email or text at www.fifedirect.org.uk/alerts.

Information will be published online and alerts sent out to registered customers as early as possible on 30th November and updated throughout the day.