Issue - meetings

This paper aims to provide an overview of the Council’s approach to recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, as set out in the attached paper, considered by Cabinet on the 11 June. 

A report was introduced by Nigel Minns, Strategic Director for People Directorate, to provide an overview of the Council’s approach to recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. A key aspect was the development of a recovery plan which would be submitted to Cabinet for approval in September. This Committee’s comments were sought on the approach to the development of the recovery plan.

Following its approval there would be an ongoing scrutiny role, particularly over the longer-term delivery phase. This would feature in the planned review of the scrutiny function.

The key elements of the recovery approach were summarised within the report and provided in more detail in the appended report approved by the Cabinet on 11 June. This set out the three phases to recovery. The Council was now in the foundation stage and an outline was given of the key focuses and the output for the recovery plan being presented to Cabinet in September.

The report included a section on the focus of the response and plans for recovery. The Council had worked flexibly and adapted in many ways to ensure that key services were delivered, and people were supported to cope with the effects of Covid19. Examples were provided of the responsiveness and actions taken by Public Health, Adult Social Care and People Strategy and Commissioning for services within the remit of this Committee.

As the Council moved into the delivery phase of its recovery plan, there would be a role for this committee to consider aspects of recovery relevant to its remit, particularly health and social care and aspects of community recovery.  It was proposed that further reports be brought to the Committee for its consideration.

Nigel Minns focussed on key sections of the report, giving examples of the work undertaken over the last three months. He referred to the isolation arrangements for Covid patients leaving hospital before retuning to a care home setting. He referred members to the appended Cabinet report and the recovery principles set out within it. There were close working arrangements with health colleagues and the voluntary sector on the recovery actions.

The following questions and comments were received with responses provided as indicated:

• In response to a question from the Chair, Nigel Minns gave an outline of how the County Council had assisted care home providers especially with the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE). Reference was made to a webpage containing further information. This link would be provided after the meeting and can be viewed here. A workforce recruitment plan had also been established, leading to over 100 additional staff being employed. Finally, he spoke about the financial offer to care providers to meet all additional costs associated with the pandemic. The government infection control fund was passported to care providers within a week of receipt. This had already exceeded £4.1m and was continuing to increase. A further update on distribution of funding, including the second tranche of £2.7m of government funding would be provided shortly. The Chair considered a good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4