Agenda item

The Council's Response to COVID-19

Report of Chief Executive attached

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive setting out the action taken by the Council in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its approach to restore and/or adapt services and further assist residents, local businesses, staff and the Borough in general.  The report highlighted how the Council would use and review the Southend 2050 programme to drive recovery and build on some aspects of the pandemic response that had been positive, including community mobilisation, adaptation of services and more effective remote working.

 

The report also put forward recommendations to address the emerging arrangements for local outbreak planning and the crucial role of the Council in supporting the NHS test, trace and isolate programme.

 

Councillors received an updated version of the report which had been circulated before the meeting.

 

On behalf of members of the Cabinet, the Leader thanked Council staff for their hard work in responding to the issues arising from the pandemic and for their contribution towards delivering services in difficult circumstances. He also extended his thanks to the NHS staff and other key workers for their sterling work.

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the action taken to date in response to the Covid-19 crisis, be noted.

2. That, in the light of the impact of Covid-19, the proposed approach to recovery, including the use of the Southend 2050 programme to drive the Borough and Council’s recovery phase and in that context undertake a review of the Southend 2050 outcomes and roadmap content, be approved

3. That the residents, staff, businesses and partners be thanked for all their efforts to date in responding to the pandemic.

 

4. That the governance arrangements for overseeing preparations for a local outbreak of Covid-19 and the production and implementation of a Local Outbreak Control Plan be put in place, as outlined in paragraph 4.15.5 of the submitted report.   This will see the establishment of an Outbreak Control Oversight Board and a Local Health Protection Board as sub-groups of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

5. That it be noted that the executive decisions, that would otherwise go to Cabinet, relating to the arrangements for local outbreak planning, the Council’s role in supporting the NHS test, trace and isolate programme and associated matters, will be dealt with under the Council’s SO 46 procedure, with additional consultation with the 4 Group Leaders in the case of strategic matters.

Other Options

 

The Council could choose not to outline its response to Covid-19 or agree not to set out its path to recovery or review its current ambition and desired outcomes.  This would mean failing to set out and recognise the huge impact the crisis has had on the Borough, its people and the Council and the Council’s approach to recovery.   A review of the current 2050 ambition and outcomes would most likely be required in any case, given they were agreed in 2018. 

Reasons for Recommendations

 

To ensure the Council has an opportunity to review action taken to date to tackle the Covid-19 crisis and to consider the appropriate approach to be taken to enable the Borough and Council to recover. 

 

Note: This is an Executive function

Referred direct to all three Scrutiny Committees

Cabinet Member: Cllr Gilbert

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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