Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1. The latest public health situation with regard to Covid-19, nationally and in Surrey be noted.
2. That the actions being delivered through Surrey’s Local Outbreak Control Plan, including the vaccination roll out, and the ongoing support to vulnerable residents, including through the council’s Community Helpline and the Covid Winter Support Grant scheme be noted and endorsed.
3. That the enacting and success of surge testing in two Surrey localities, with the support and co-operation of local residents be noted.
4. That the latest impacts on Adult Social Care and Children’s, Families, Lifelong learning services be noted.
5. That the continued lobbying for prioritisation of key workers, including teachers, to have access to the vaccination programme as soon as possible be noted and endorsed.
6. That the ongoing preparation for the local elections in May 2021 and associated risks be noted and endorsed.

7. That the work and planning going on in respect of the transition into recovery from the pandemic be noted and endorsed.

8. That the use of the council’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme allocations in 2020/21 and 2021/22 be noted and endorsed.

Reason for Decision:

The county and council continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis. We are simultaneously managing response activity and work with our partners to enable recovery within the county, looking ahead to a return to day-to-day life for communities following the end of national lockdown.

The recommendations set out in this report ensure Cabinet are appraised of the most recent work going on across the council to protect, sustain and support residents and communities and the economy of Surrey.

[Where necessary a waiver for call-in will be sought from the relevant Select Committee Chairman]

The report was introduced by the Leader who explained that the Government had published a road map to ease covid-19 restrictions. The council would be studying how the easing of restrictions would impact council services. Surge testing for the South African variant of covid-19 had been completed in both Woking and Egham with the first round of surge testing producing response rates of over 90%. The Leader thanked residents for their compliance with the testing and the Surrey Local Resilience Forum (SLRF) for organising the surge testing. The vaccination programme was well under way and had been progressing well. Residents were reminded that they would be contacted by their GP for the vaccine. Special thanks was given to the SLRF, NHS, Surrey Heartlands and Frimley ICS for all their hard work which was a great testament of strong partnership working. The local test and trace service was in touch with around 86% of residents who had been in contact with someone who had the virus. The Leader reiterated the importance of residents self-isolating if they had been exposed to the virus. This would be the only way to stop the spread of the virus. Further information about the reopening of services would be publicised in due course. 

RESOLVED:

1. The latest public health situation with regard to Covid-19, nationally and in Surrey be noted.
2. That the actions being delivered through Surrey’s Local Outbreak Control Plan, including the vaccination roll out, and the ongoing support to vulnerable residents, including through the council’s Community Helpline and the Covid Winter Support Grant scheme be noted and endorsed.
3. That the enacting and success of surge testing in two Surrey localities, with the support and co-operation of local residents be noted.
4. That the latest impacts on Adult Social Care and Children’s, Families, Lifelong learning services be noted.
5. That the continued lobbying for prioritisation of key workers, including teachers, to have access to the vaccination programme as soon as possible be noted and endorsed.
6. That the ongoing preparation for the local elections in May 2021 and associated risks be noted and endorsed.

7. That the work and planning going on in respect of the transition into recovery from the pandemic be noted and endorsed.

8. That the use of the council’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme allocations in 2020/21 and 2021/22 be noted and endorsed.

Reason for Decision:

The county and council continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis. We are simultaneously managing response activity and work with our partners to enable recovery within the county, looking ahead to a return to day-to-day life for communities following the end of national lockdown.

The recommendations set out in this report ensure Cabinet are appraised of the most recent work going on across the council to protect, sustain and support residents and communities and the economy of Surrey.

[Where necessary a waiver for call-in will be sought from the relevant Select Committee Chairman]