Agenda item

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

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

Community Affairs

·        The Council’s Local Response Centre continued to operate, with over 1,000 referrals received.  850 deliveries of food and essential items had been made.

·        Future arrangements were being considered in partnership with local food banks, to ensure support could continue to be provided to vulnerable residents.

·        Preparations continued for the reopening of information offices in Lymington and New Milton during June.  Public offices would be following strict safety guidance for both staff and customers.

Housing Services

·        The restoration of all Housing Services continued, in addition to the emergency work that had continued throughout the peak of the Coronavirus.

·        All work in tenant’s homes was being undertaken with regard to social distancing, good hygiene and in accordance with Government guidance.

·        The re-letting of Council properties had commenced, to ensure people in unsatisfactory accommodation or those facing homelessness were rehoused at the earliest opportunity.

Economic Development

·        The new Discretionary Business Grants Scheme would support particular business types that did not qualify for other schemes, including some Bed and Breakfasts, businesses in shared offices spaces, some charities and also market traders.

·        A total of £50,000 had been awarded via the Rural Resilience Fund in partnership with the Solent Local Economic Partnership, protecting vital local jobs in the District.

·        Business Needs Surveys were taking place to understand the key challenges facing local businesses, which would be essential to effectively address the Council’s recovery plan in this area.

Finance, Investment and Corporate Services

·        Business Grants totalling over £39 million had been administered and paid to over 3,200 businesses.

·        An ICT workplan was underway in response to recent events to ensure the benefits of a remote workforce were realised and business continuity was achieved.

·        The future success of commercial property opportunities would continue to be important to securing much needed income, in the overall context of reviewing expenditure.

Environment and Regulatory Services

·        The past nine weeks had seen an increased demand for waste and recycling services, with increases from last year as follows:-

o   8% increase in waste collected in black sacks.

o   13% increase in recycling.

o   21% increase in kerbside glass.

o   15% increase in garden waste customers, with over 2,000 new customers.

·        Public toilets were beginning to open on a phased basis, where it was safe to do so for both visitors and staff.

·        Food safety teams remained exceptionally busy advising businesses on their preparations for reopening, whilst enforcing against those who had breached the Government guidance.

Leisure and Wellbeing

·        Dibden Golf Course reopened on 16 May 2020 under new course rules set by Golf England, ensuring social distancing.  The clubhouse remained closed and the new arrangements were working well with the course fully booked most days.

·        Approximately 400 members of Health and Leisure staff had been furloughed until the end of June, whilst some continued to be redeployed into other service areas such as the Council’s Local Response Centre.

Planning and Infrastructure

·        Three virtual Planning Committees were successfully held throughout May.

·        The Council continued to work with Hampshire County Council to identify projects for Government grants to support safe places to walk and cycle as part of the overall strategy to reopen high streets.