Agenda item

Covid-19 Recovery Update

(To receive a report from Diane Coulson, Assistant Director – Public Protection, which provides an overview of the partnership approach and governance arrangements to manage Lincolnshire's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to an update report by the Assistant Director Public Protection, which provided an overview of the partnership approach and governance arrangements to manage Lincolnshire's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The significant disruption created by Covid-19 had forced authorities and communities to change their behaviours and routine working practices, which although unsettling, had demonstrated what was achievable through collaborative working.

 

The report advised that as well as serious implications for people’s health and public services, Covid-19 was having a significant impact on the economy and the recovery approach would need to be considered against an uncertain economic backdrop. This situation was compounded by increased demand in areas of service activity such as social care teams, wellbeing services and infection control for example.

 

The Board was asked to consider the report and provide feedback on the points raised and agree when a subsequent report should be scheduled for a future meeting to allow the Board to monitor the progress of the Council's recovery.

 

Members considered the report, and during discussion the following points were made:

 

·         Members welcomed the report and requested that a further update report be given at the October meeting of the Board. It was thought that the September meeting was too soon for a further update and it was recognised that officers had spent a significant amount of time producing such a detailed and comprehensive report.

·         Assurance was sought and given that there were processes in place to deal with any outbreaks in neighbouring counties. Particular reference was given to an outbreak of the virus in a factory near Newark. Members noted that testing units were spread across the County. High risk settings such as factories had been provided with advice on how to prevent outbreaks and what to do if one occurred. Reassurance was given that prevention measures, staff training, data monitoring and collection and the action plan in the event of an outbreak were regularly reviewed.

·         It was confirmed, following a question, that good practice arising from the work of voluntary and support groups would be shared and disseminated amongst them. It was especially important as groups who may now be dormant may need to be reactivated in the future.

·         The implications for the County as a result of the recent announcement by the Government to disband Public Health England would be kept under review.

·         Assurances were sought and given about arrangements for staff homeworking, access to offices, staff testing and other measures to ensure staff safety and that such advice had been disseminated to managers.

·         The importance of ensuring safe and available transport from home to school, especially in rural areas, was acknowledged; as was the need to keep under review the measures in place to protect the vulnerable living in care homes.

·         It was noted that at present the County had the lowest number of cases in the country and although this was a good position, vigilance and preparedness was still very important and necessary.

·         The Government announcements on the use of face masks were being monitored, particularly those in relation to school transport and the difficulties surrounding enforcement were recognised. It was suggested that traffic problems may arise should there be an increase in the number of cars used to transport children to school.

 

(Councillor R Wootten took the Chair for consideration of the decision as the Chairman briefly lost internet connection)

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Board considered the report and provided feedback, as detailed above;

2.    That a further report be scheduled for the meeting of the Board on 29 October 2020.

 

(The Chairman re-joined the meeting and took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting)

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