Agenda item

Portfolio Holders will give a presentation on the Council’s response to the Coronavirus – COVID-19 pandemic.

Portfolio Holders gave a presentation on the Council’s response to the Coronavirus – COVID-19 pandemic. The slides from the presentation are attached to these minutes as Appendix A for reference.

The Council had been working closely to national government guidelines and delivering on government priorities, (which aligned well with the Council’s own corporate objectives) in supporting:

·         the most vulnerable in our community

·         local business and our economy

·         delivery of essential local public services

The Council had responded in many different ways, examples of which included such measures as:

·         A Shielding Hub had been established to protect residents, supporting the most vulnerable in our community with food packages, prescription collections and social contact. The New Forest Hub was receiving the largest number of referrals in Hampshire.

·         Accommodation for Rough Sleepers and continuation of essential housing maintenance

·         Business financial support – passing on over £40 million of financial support to over 3,000 businesses. NFDC was in the top 20% of over 300 local authorities in managing this support.

·         Council Taxpayer Hardship Fund of £886,000 available and being targeted at those in greatest need.

·         Keeping essential services running and identifying critical staff. Thanks to investment in ICT over recent times, the Council’s 400 office staff were able to work from home. 

·         Refuse and recycling and 4-weekly glass collections were continuing on schedule.

·         Public Toilets had been closed for the safety of New Forest residents.

·         All Health & Leisure Centres closed to the public and payments suspended. All Instructor staff, majority of operational staff and additional management staff had been furloughed. Dibden Golf Course was also closed.

·         Business continuity plans for lockdown had been prepared for Planning and Building Control.

·         Parking fees had been suspended to assist those helping the vulnerable. Town car parks open but coastal car parks closed to encourage social distancing.

It was noted that many Health and Leisure staff had been furloughed or redeployed.  Some staff had been redeployed to support essential activity such as the Council’s Local Response Centre for the most clinically vulnerable residents in the New Forest.

An impact assessment would be carried out in the following areas to support the development of recovery plan, via the establishment of four new Task and Finish Groups:

•       Community (including volunteers and charities)

•       Local business and economy

•       Service delivery

•       Council finances and resources

It was unlikely that there would be a clear separation between the response and recovery stages i.e. the Council will still be responding to COVID-19 when it is also implementing its recovery plan.

The Leader of the Council responded to a question concerning financial reductions and non-essential services. He said that the administration would adhere to its promises, and emphasised that each portfolio holder had set out details of the investment of human and financial resources where needed to address the emergency. The Council’s prudent financial approach had ensured that the Authority was in as good a position as any to meet the ongoing and future challenges.  As many councillors as possible would have the opportunity to participate in the new Task and Finish Groups, shaping the ‘new normal’, and he encouraged all members to engage.

The Leader of the Council thanked staff and members for all their efforts in meeting the challenge of the COVID-19  emergency.