Agenda item

The Leader to make a statement.

There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions and/or make comments.

The Leader made a detailed statement. A copy of the statement is attached as Appendix A.

Members raised the following topics:

·      That working together for the benefit of Surrey’s residents and those that work in the county should be a continued priority and not just during the current COVID-19 surge.

·      That for Members to be critical friends, it was vital that they had briefings and information to enable scrutiny on key issues including but not limited to unitarisation.

·      That mental health remained an issue and was exacerbated by COVID-19 and similarly to equality impact assessments, mental health impact assessments should be included in all of the Council’s reports.

·      Recommended that Members and officers read the report of theMental Health Task Group due to be considered on Thursday at the Adults and Health Select Committee. The report recommended mental health training for all and recommendations to improve the situation of those with mental health issues. Going forward, it was also important to ensure the right contract to cover children’s mental health.

·      Welcomed any Surrey-wide initiative to encourage the early uptake of the annual flu jab, through working with General Practice (GP) surgeries.

·      Highlighted the serious funding gap from central Government, which would lead to further cuts and continued austerity.

·      Welcomed Mr Edward Hawkins as Deputy Cabinet Member for Property and stressed the need for the Council to use its property assets efficiently.

·      Questioned whether the Council had the right resources and could harness the momentum gained through the property review - Surrey Asset and Place Strategy - undertaken more than eighteen months ago.

·      Requested that the Leader provide reassurance on the financial situation concerning Surrey’s commercial property investments with regard to the annual valuation and the latest on rent collection from our tenants.

·      Queried how the Council could work with the borough and district councils on the Surrey 2050 Place Ambition, in order to provide the necessary infrastructure to deliver a Surrey-wide vision and strategy.

·      Thanked officers, staff and partners for the work they had done and were continuing to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

·      Sent best wishes and support to the Deputy Leader of the Council.

·      Noted the need for caution and sensitivity in how the Council approaches complex challenges.

·      Expressed concern over Local Community Networks (LCNs) as they could be seen by borough and district councils as a way to take over the established community relationships and local structures.

·      Welcomed the focus on economic growth which must be delivered in partnership with borough and district councils, to address concerns such as affordable housing and ensuring a sustainable workforce.

·      Praised the significant strengthening and refocus of the Council on scrutiny and the work of the Select Committee Chairmen and Vice Chairmen's Group.

·      That there had been a large change in the way services were delivered due to the pandemic, praising the work of teachers delivering content digitally and on the safe reopening of schools.

·      Agreed with the Leader that the Council should embrace change and take the lead not waiting on the Government’s direction.

·      Asked if the Council could facilitate and deliver NHS Test and Trace locally so that school children who had been sent home could be tested, harnessing local COVID-19 testing capacity at drive-throughs.

·      Asked if the Leader agreed that the Surrey Virtual Wellbeing Hub had proved a welcome addition to reach out to those with mental health issues, the Hub had helped more than six hundred and fifty people in just four months and promoted empowerment.

·      That a two or three tier system of local government was not the most efficient structure and applauded the Leader for engaging with the Government to look at alternatives and noted the work by the cross-party Public Service Reform (PSR) Working Group.

·      Noted the response to the COVID-19 crisis in the north of England led by regional mayors and asked whether there was a possibility of a county mayor for Surrey and if there were financial incentives.

·      Asked what the chances were of there being Surrey County Council elections in May 2021. 

·      That during difficult times the protection of democracy was key. LCNs were a good initiative but noted concern that the views of rural areas might be ignored and overruled by the town areas.

·      Asked if the Leader agreed that the dismissive remarks by a Member on the missing opportunity on the recommissioning of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) contract, underestimated the amount of officer, Member and partner focus on the matter.

·      That there was a strong focus on the emotional wellbeing and mental health services across county; the Council had adopted the THRIVE framework of early intervention and developed an alliance of local and national partners including Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in which funding was procured enabling Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) to transform services.

·      Thanked the Leader for his positive statement and analysis on the potential for a single unitary authority.

·      Asked what the Council’s overall financial position was including the direct financial impact as a result of the pandemic as well as the extent to which those costs had been refunded by Government.

·      Echoed the thanks to teachers and support staff at schools, governing bodies and all those who worked hard to get children back to school. The Council had worked closely with schools and public health on health and safety risk assessments to ensure a smooth return.

·      Noted that there were testing issues nationally. Residents could get tests conducted at drive-throughs and the issue was the local laboratory capacity in processing a high volume of tests. 

·      The Council had worked with each school setting to ensure that as few children as possible were sent home if someone in their bubble had symptoms or tested positive. It was important for children’s mental health and wellbeing to get back to school.

·      Noted that some services had recognised additional upfront costs as a result of COVID-19, such as for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in care homes. Costs were also expected in Children’s Services to address future issues such as delayed Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

·      Asked for more clarity on the LCNs, querying whether they would have powers or would just be talking shops.