Agenda item
Change in Order of Business - Urgent Item: Emergency Planning Response to Covid 19
Minutes:
Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) advised of a change in the order of the agenda to enable an urgent update to be provided on the emergency planning arrangements introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In accordance with the provisions outlined in the Council’s Access to Information Rules and Standing Order 60, the Leader of the Council confirmed that he had AGREED to the following report being considered as an urgent item. This was on the grounds that it provided the latest update on the Council’s emergency planning response to Covid 19, along with associated resource implications and reflected the pace at which the situation was developing.
Emergency Planning response to COVID-19
Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive) introduced the report providing Cabinet with an overview of the emergency planning arrangements that had been introduced as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The report also included an update on the service changes that had been introduced as part of the Council’s overall response along with details of those services categorised as critical in terms of business continuity planning for Covid 19. In addition, an update was provided on the current financial impact on the Council as a result of Covid 19, including the estimated loss of income (currently estimated at over £11m) and impact on the ability to achieve the savings agreed as part of the Council’s budget for 2020/21.
As a result of the update, Cabinet RESOLVED:
(1) To note the content of the report and update provided in relation to the work that had been undertaken since the emergency planning and GOLD arrangements had been stood up within the Council in response COVID-19, along with the associated resource implication detailed within Appendix 3 of the report.
(2) To note the main areas of heightened activity across the Council, as detailed in section 3.10 of the report. Specific areas highlighted by Cabinet included:
· The focus on Adult Social Care in relation to supporting hospital discharges, care homes and domiciliary care;
· The support and work with the Voluntary and Community Sector and charities in supporting residents across the borough;
· The focus as a priority on protecting those people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. Members were advised that whilst fewer individuals were currently presenting for help the numbers requiring provision of suitable accommodation had increased due to the closure of night shelters and welcomed lowering of current thresholds for support, highlighting the true scale of need. In recognising this need, the Council had been proactive in making use of two hotels and accessing self-contained flats for people who were showing symptoms of Covid 19 in order to provide additional accommodation. The logistics and scale of the challenge had been considerable, with Councillor Southwood (as Cabinet Member for Housing & Welfare Reform) specifically thanking the housing needs service and local partners for their efforts. In addition, members were advised of the procedures established to continue essential checks and emergency repairs with an assurance provided that Government guidelines in relation to access were being followed;
· The additional capacity being provided to deal with the increase in benefit and Council tax enquiries and roll out of the Government’s Hardship Fund. Members recognised that as a result of the pandemic, applications for Universal Credit had increased, along with applications for Council Tax Support and to the Local Welfare Assistance programme. The Council were ready to assist people in accessing the help needed, including additional financial provision where required, with the Poverty Commission also continuing its important work in helping to identify how best to assist people experiencing poverty as a result of the current crisis;
· The work with schools to provide guidance and support co-ordination in relation to the childcare commitment for key workers;
· The ongoing enforcement efforts in relation to social distancing within parks and open spaces and work with local businesses regarding support on the small grant scheme and Business Rate relief;
(3) To note the consideration of options in relation to the recovery planning process once the current lockdown arrangements were either partially or totally removed, as detailed in section 4 of the report.
(4) To note the scheduled of service change decisions and critical services identified in Appendix 1 and 2 of the report, which would also be subject to consideration by the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee.
(5) To thank officers for the update provided and their ongoing efforts in developing and delivering the Council’s emergency response to Covid 19.