Agenda item

Leader of the Council

Councillor M J Hill, OBE, the Leader of the Council, referred to the significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic and thanked Debbie Barnes for her support to the Leader for the urgent decisions, which had been required in response to the coronavirus pandemic.  

Councillor Hill confirmed that all the Council's vital services had continued and some less critical services had been suspended, with many staff redeployed to critical areas.  The Council was continuing to work with partners, for example, the NHS in Lincolnshire, the care sector, district councils and the Lincolnshire Police, on the co?ordination of the response.  The number of cases of coronavirus in Lincolnshire had been comparatively low, with the county's rurality considered to be a factor in this.  The Leader of the Council thanked all those who had continued to work delivering critical services. 

Each member of the Executive provided an update on the impact of the coronavirus on their own area of responsibility and echoed the Leader's thanks to staff, who had helped critical services continue.

Adult Care, Health and Children's Services

Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell, OBE, the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services, advised that almost all schools had remained open for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.  Plans were being co-ordinated by the Executive Director – Children's Services for the possible re-opening of schools from 1 June 2020, in particular the arrangements for home to school transport.   

Councillor Mrs Bradwell confirmed that the County Council's Public Health Department was working closely with NHS colleagues.  The level of supply of protective personal equipment was good.  The Wellbeing Service was working well with the support of colleagues from district councils.  Homecare and residential care providers were also working well with the Council, and ensuring that discharges from hospitals of non-Covid-19 patients were made quickly.

Economy and Place

Councillor C R Davie, the Executive Councillor for Economy and Place, thanked all economic development staff at the County Council, the Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and district councils for providing support to businesses, and helping them plan for the future.

To date £198.7 million had been distributed to businesses by the district and unitary councils in the LLEP area, which was a significant achievement as this represented 80% of the total funding available.  22% of the county's workforce had been furloughed; 70% of the workforce were working normally; and 24% of businesses had closed or ceased to trade, mainly in the hospitality or tourism sectors.  This impact represented a substantial shock to the economy of the county.  However, a 'recovery cell' was in place, and locally business leaders were optimistic on developing sustainable business models for the future. 

Highways, Transport and IT

Councillor R G Davies, the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT, advised that the Council's highways staff and contractors had adapted to the social distancing guidelines.  Highway maintenance was continuing as planned.  In relation to capital schemes, works on the A46 roundabout and at the A15/A17 roundabout in Sleaford, were expected to resume shortly.  Works on the Lincoln Eastern By-pass and the Grantham Southern Relief Road were progressing well.  The Council was continuing to support public transport services.  The Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership was seeking to reduce the level of speeding traffic on Lincolnshire's roads.

Councillor R G Davies also thanked the Council's IT Team, who had introduced Microsoft Teams and VPN services.  These had enabled the Council's workforce to work remotely.

Commercial and Environmental Management

Councillor E J Poll, the Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management, referred to the work of the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership, which had seen the continuation of refuse and recycling collection services by district councils.  In accordance with Government guidance, the County Council's household waste and recycling centres had been closed since March.  Plans were being developed to enable the public to bring garden waste and wood to household waste and recycling centres by appointment only.  Depending on the success of the scheme, there was potential for the sites to take other materials. 

NHS Liaison and Community Engagement

Councillor Mrs S Woolley, the Executive Councillor for NHS Liaison and Community Engagement, advised that over 400 community groups, with over 6,000 volunteers, were supporting people in their local communities, with the support of the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum and district councils.  Grants had already been made from the Covid?19 Community Fund Scheme, whereby each county councillor had been allocated £3,000, to fund schemes for the benefit of the local community. 

Councillor Mrs Woolley referred to the substantial amount of work being undertaken by the NHS in their response to the coronavirus pandemic and thanked the key workers in the NHS and the care sector.  Although the coronavirus had presented a series of challenges, it had highlighted several opportunities for health and social care, for example GP practices making the most of IT for virtual consultations, which would be a benefit for a rural county like Lincolnshire. 

Councillor Mrs Woolley referred to the establishment of a new Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group on 1 April 2020, which had brought together the former four clinical commissioning groups in the county. 

Culture and Emergency Services

Councillor C N Worth, the Executive Councillor for Culture and Emergency Services, reported that all fire and rescue services had continued, with some firefighters supporting the East Midlands Ambulance Service, through co?responding and transporting patients to hospital; and others supporting the work of the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.

The Coroner's Service was making plans to deal with the delayed coronial inquests, with 'documentary' inquests being held in certain circumstances.  The focus of the Registration and Celebratory Service was the registration of deaths. 

In the library service, there had been a significant increase in the number of e-loans, including e-books, e-magazines and audio-books.  The Heritage Service had closed all its sites on 18 March, but plans were in place to celebrate a virtual VE Day.  There had also been progress on the future of the Usher Gallery in Lincoln, with an options appraisal commissioned by the University of Lincoln.

Community Safety and People Management

Councillor B Young, the Executive Councillor for Community and People Management, stated that the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership had been tackling fraudsters, who had been using the present circumstances to take advantage of vulnerable people.  Lincolnshire had not seen a reported rise in the level of domestic abuse, which the Government had anticipated, but resources were in place to encourage people to report concerns.  Boots, the Chemist, had introduced a scheme enabling people to use their consultation rooms to report domestic abuse.  

The HR team had been supporting employees, who had adapted quickly to the current situation.  It was also stated that Legal Services Lincolnshire was adjusting to different priorities. 

Resources and Communications

Councillor M J Hill, OBE, as the Executive Councillor for Resources and Communications, advised that the additional funding from the Government was being directed to the appropriate services, such as supporting care homes and the NHS.  Property services had worked to ensure that the Council had the buildings and facilities available to meet new demands.  The Communications and Engagement Team had undertaken a significant amount of work, keeping people informed through various media, which included Members of Parliament, partners, councillors, employees and members of the public.