Agenda item

Cabinet Members are asked to consider and comment on the Covid-19 Pandemic report and in particular those areas relevant to their portfolios.

Other members in attendance, including scrutiny chairmen and the minority group leaders, may be invited to comment on the report.

Cabinet Members may respond to comments made and Leader may sum up the discussion. No decision is required.

75.1        The Leader explained that 23 March marked one year since the first national lockdown and wished to recognise the many challenges faced due to the pandemic and the sadness caused by the loss of many loved ones. As a day of national reflection takes place, there is optimism ahead as the vaccination programme gains momentum and communities continue to work hard together to protect themselves and each other.

75.2        Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive introduced by Cllr Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health who outlined the steady reduction of cases in West Sussex and progress with the vaccination programme. Dr Tony Hill, Interim Director of Public Health provided specific case and hospital numbers for the county, an update on lateral flow testing and said that no substantial issues had arisen with the return to school.

75.3        Cllr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources advised a programme of webinars on economic recovery had been well attended by businesses. He highlighted that whilst overseas travel remained unavailable, domestic tourism would be supported through the Experience West Sussex initiative and promotion of the County.

75.4        Cllr Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities advised that libraries should reopen on 12 April with appropriate measures in place to keep people safe and outlined the work done by libraries throughout the pandemic.

75.5        Cllr Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said there had been a gradual increase in face to face contacts between families and social workers where safe and possible and that these would increase from 29 March.

75.6        Cllr Roger Elkins, Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure highlighted the good work of the service in continuing to deliver highway maintenance throughout the pandemic. Transport management as children return to school would factor in additional capacity required for social distancing.

75.7        Cllr Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance reflected on the additional government grant funding received by the County to enable the continuing support to residents, particularly in respect of the council tax support grant which had been shared with district and borough councils for those in hardship.

75.8        Cllr Nigel Jupp, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills highlighted the good school attendance figures for West Sussex and the free school meal voucher scheme available to qualifying families over the Easter break. He advised additional support would be available to school leavers to prevent cases of young people not in education, employment or training.

75.9        Cllr Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Environment gave thanks to staff for their work during difficult circumstances and that through collaborative working the waste and other teams had developed new strengths.

75.10     Cllr Bryan Turner, Chairman of Health and Adults Social Care Scrutiny Committee praised teachers, governors and officers for their work and felt the community hub had provided real value to residents. He asked about the effectiveness of the Local Tracing Partnership (LTP). The Interim Director of Public Health advised that two thirds of people contacted by the LTP would otherwise have not been reached, and that this was positive. Cllr Steve Waight, Chairman of Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee noted the good performance of the fire service in response to the pandemic.

75.11     Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group paid tribute to the NHS, public sector and WSCC staff on the day of reflection.

75.12     The Leader summarised that whilst the situation showed signs of improvement there was still a lot to do in terms of social care and recovery of the economy. He thanked staff and partners for their continued hard work.

75.13     Resolved – that Cabinet notes the update and discussion on the council’s response to the pandemic.