Councillors and committees

Issue - meetings

Covid 19 Contingencies

Meeting: 28/04/2020 - Cabinet (Item 57)

57 Covid-19 Update pdf icon PDF 208 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

Cabinet resolved to note:

 

1.    the latest public health situation with regard to COVID-19 and the latest informationon Surrey’s response,

2.    the updated guidance on changes to local authority powers under the Coronavirus Act, including powers available to the County Council should the system for managing the deceased risk becoming overwhelmed,

 

3.    the efforts being made to source, procure, supply and distribute Personal Protective Equipment to employees, in accordance with national guidance and the potential sanctions and liabilities in this respect,

 

4.    the updated assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on Surrey County Council’s short and medium-term financial position, and the impact on services, and

 

5.    the measures being taken through the Surrey Local Resilience Forum Recovery Coordinating Group to plan and prepare for the immediate, operational Recovery of services from lockdown and COVID-19. 

 

Reason for decision:

 

The county and Council continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 emergency. The focus of response activity remains: i) delay and suppress the progress of the virus in Surrey, ii) save lives, iii) support our most vulnerable residents and communities through the delivery of core services, iv) reduce pressure on the NHS.

 

These priority objectives are guiding our decisions and ensuring our response and emergent recovery strategies and work remain tightly focused. The recommendations set out in this report will support our efforts across the Council to protect, sustain and support our residents and communities and the economy of Surrey.

 

[This decision is subject to call-in by the relevant Select Committee Chairman dependent on the recommendation.]

 

Minutes:

The Leader gave a detailed update on the Council’s response to COVID-19 (C19) which included the following:

·         That the demand and supply of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) was being constantly monitored and people should not be asked to do a job without the correct equipment.

·         That so far C19 had cost the Council £70m.  £25.2m had been received from the Government and a second tranche was yet to come.  It was expected that there would be a shortfall and the Council would continue to liaise with the Government regarding this.

·         A full risk assessment had been undertaken in children’s services and there was close liaison with families.

·         There had been an increased demand for support in adult social care and redeployment had been undertaken to address the demand. 

·         Planned highways works would be undertaken.

·         Recognised the work undertaken by the voluntary, community & faith sector organisations in responding to the C-19 pandemic.

 

Cabinet Members highlighted the work undertaken in each of their areas and thanked staff and teams for the outstanding work being undertaken.

 

RESOLVED:

 

Cabinet resolved to note:

 

  1. the latest public health situation with regard to COVID-19 and the latest information on Surrey’s response,

  2. the updated guidance on changes to local authority powers under the Coronavirus Act, including powers available to the County Council should the system for managing the deceased risk becoming overwhelmed,

 

  1. the efforts being made to source, procure, supply and distribute Personal Protective Equipment to employees, in accordance with national guidance and the potential sanctions and liabilities in this respect,

 

  1. the updated assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on Surrey County Council’s short and medium-term financial position, and the impact on services, and

 

  1. the measures being taken through the Surrey Local Resilience Forum Recovery Coordinating Group to plan and prepare for the immediate, operational Recovery of services from lockdown and COVID-19. 

 

Reason for decision:

 

The county and Council continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 emergency. The focus of response activity remains: i) delay and suppress the progress of the virus in Surrey, ii) save lives, iii) support our most vulnerable residents and communities through the delivery of core services, iv) reduce pressure on the NHS.

 

These priority objectives are guiding our decisions and ensuring our response and emergent recovery strategies and work remain tightly focused. The recommendations set out in this report will support our efforts across the Council to protect, sustain and support our residents and communities and the economy of Surrey.