Agenda item

The Cabinet is asked to consider and comment on the exceptional pressures update report.

Scrutiny Committee Chairman and each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the Council’s response to exceptional pressures upon service provision.

Cabinet Members may respond to comments made and the Leader may sum up the discussion.

46.1     Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive. The report was introduced by Becky Shaw, Chief Executive who advised that, with the publication of the Government’s Covid-19 Winter Plan, WSCC would know which tier the county would be in and what restrictions would be.

46.2     Dr Tony Hill, Interim Director of Public Health provided an update on local case figures, widespread community transmission, vaccinations and that the local testing partnership had been approved to commence on 26 November. Lucy Butler, Executive Director for Children Young People and Learning provided an update on cases in schools and attendance levels, which remained above the national average. Keith Hinkley, Executive Director Adults and Health provided an update on designated settings, the expected pressure on the health and social care system following the roll out of vaccinations and changes to outbreak management guidance. 

46.3     Cllr Bryan Turner, Chairman of Health and Adults Scrutiny Committee noted the effective communications and social media campaign and felt that this had had a positive impact on prevention with West Sussex rates amongst the lowest in the country. He added that community mental health services should be prioritised.

46.4     Cllr Stephen Hillier, Chairman of Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Committee said the Committee had considered the educational impacts of the virus and heard that WSCC had handled this well. He noted the financial pressures on schools and support for headteachers and the impact on attainment, including for gifted pupils. He agreed community provision for mental health support was important.

46.5     Cllr Andrew Barrett-Miles, Chairman of the Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee highlighted the good maintenance of highways and the continued operation of waste transfer stations during the second lockdown but had some concerns about the effects on libraries. A concern for the Committee was the pressure on staff dealing with the Active Travel Fund and hoped Tranche 2 would be approached so as to manage this effectively.

46.6     Cllr Joy Dennis, Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee noted the establishment of the local track and tracing partnership. She said it had been difficult for the Committee to monitor performance using existing outcomes and measures and that the financial pressures and hard work of staff were not underestimated. 

46.7     Cllr Steve Waight, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee considered the impact of lockdown on the prevent, protect and response priorities of the fire service. He noted the performance and assurance framework would give evidence for effective scrutiny of the fire service response to the pandemic.

46.8     Cllr Dr James Walsh, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group noted the impact of delayed test results and possible void test results on tracing and therefore infection control. He asked if work had commenced on how vaccination would be rolled out and had WSCC identified primary care and community settings.

46.9     Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group had concerns about positivity rates and questioned the extent of resources required to support the local tracing partnership. He asked what messaging were being used to raise awareness of the community hubs to residents including vulnerable groups.

46.10  The Leader, Cabinet Members and Interim Director of Public Health responded to the questions raised in discussion.

46.11  Resolved – that Cabinet notes the update and discussion.