Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1. That 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 latest impacts on Adult Social Care and Children’s, Families, Lifelong learning services be noted.
4. That the ongoing preparation for the local elections in May 2021 and associated risks be noted.

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

6. That the intention to stand down the Major Incident from the end of April 2021 be endorsed.

7. That the continued use of Covid Bus Service Support Grant to support contracted bus services which have continued to operate through the pandemic be noted and endorsed.

Reasons 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 Leader introduced the report explaining that now the immediacy of the Covid  crisis had started to recede, the Recovery Coordinating Group (RCG) had worked

with the Strategic Coordinating Group (SCG) to look at how the remaining work could either be stopped or transitioned to business as usual/new business, to enable the major incident and the SCG to be stood down. It was the intention that the major incident would be stood down at the end of April 2021, although the CMG will meet in line with the national lockdown easing stages. The Local Outbreak Control Plan for Surrey had been updated and republished to reflect the Covid 19 response, local progress and developments. In Surrey over 500,000 people had received their first dose of the vaccine and 150,000 had received their second dose. The Leader highlighted that the number of children subject to Child Protection Plans continued to rise for the ninth consecutive month to 901 at the end of March. This compares with 693 at the same time last year. There was hope that this number would reduce as lockdown eased and restrictions lifted.

The Cabinet Member for Communities thanked volunteers for their energy, enthusiasm and support during the pandemic, explaining that there were lots of volunteering opportunities available especially within the vaccine centres.

RESOLVED:

1. That 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 latest impacts on Adult Social Care and Children, Families, Lifelong learning services be noted.
4. That the ongoing preparation for the local elections in May 2021 and associated risks be noted.

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

6. That the intention to stand down the Major Incident from the end of April 2021 be endorsed.

7. That the continued use of Covid Bus Service Support Grant to support contracted bus services which have continued to operate through the pandemic be noted and endorsed.

Reasons 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]