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:
- Report of Chief Executive, item 24. PDF 333 KB
- Covid-19 Councils Response Updated Report, item 24. PDF 368 KB