Agenda item

The Cabinet is asked to consider and comment on the Covid-19 Pandemic update report and in particular those areas relevant to their portfolio.

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 the Leader may sum up the discussion. No decision is required.

69.1   Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive. The report was introduced by Cllr Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health who advised on the current position in the county. A pan-Sussex asymptomatic community testing programme had been submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care for approval.

69.2   Cllr Nigel Jupp, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills highlighted the positive attendance figures for West Sussex schools. Cllr Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities advised of the work of the community hub in supporting additional residents for shielding and the winter grant scheme to deliver meals and praised the Fire and Rescue Service welfare checks work and continued support to the South Coast Ambulance. Cllr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Economy and Resources raised the need to assist the hospitality sector to reopen and urged residents to help the recovery through tourism in the county. Cllr Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance highlighted the support from government grants and how they were being used for local communities.

69.3   Dr Tony Hill, Interim Director of Public Health provided an update on most recent case figures, hospital capacity and the vaccination programme. Keith Hinkley, Executive Director of Adults and Health noted positive hospital flow and the mobilisation of community-based care services.  Becky Shaw, Chief Executive, advised further support for businesses was expected to be announced from government in the budget.

69.4   Cllr Bryan Turner, Chairman of the Health and Adults Social Care Scrutiny Committee felt the focus now needed to be on the recovery of the care home market, domiciliary care and approaches to the treatment of cancer patients. He also noted the new strengths developed within the service.

69.5   Cllr Steve Waight, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee considered the low rates of sickness or absence, and that he hoped school visits by the FRS could also recommence on 8 March. He further noted the reduced offsite training and the use of virtual reality training.

69.6   Cllr Stephen Hillier, Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Committee felt that teachers, frontline and early years staff should be vaccinated, that early years provision should be monitored so that it remains robust to support families and he asked about attendance levels of children with Education and Health Care Plans.

69.7   Cllr Dr James Walsh, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group noted the absence of a mass vaccination centre in Littlehampton and suggested one may assist increasing uptake in hard to reach groups. He asked what percentage of care home staff had been vaccinated.

69.8   Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group welcomed the decrease in covid-19 case rates but asked about areas where rates were higher and how BAME communities were being reached. He said that teachers and early years staff should be prioritised for vaccination.

69.9   Cabinet Members made further comments in addition and in response to the points raised by the Scrutiny Chairmen and Minority Group Leaders:

·       On 12 April, it was hoped libraries would reopen and operate as before, that record offices would open and it was expected there would be demand for ceremonies. Citizenship and birth registrations would be prioritised.

·       The Executive Director for Children, Young People and Learning had been lobbying government on the issue of vaccinations for teaching professionals.

·       The figure relating to children with EHCPs over the past year was ahead of the national and regional average.

·       The data for number of care staff who had been vaccinated would be circulated following the meeting.

·       Lobbying had taken place to ensure all children on role at Early Years settings received their funding whether they were in attendance or not. This had reassured providers.

69.10The Leader summarised the discussion noting that whilst there remained challenges, the priorities continued to be protecting residents, opening services and rebuilding the economy.

69.11Resolved – that Cabinet notes the update and discussion.