Issue - meetings

Report attached.

The Board considered the report of the Covid-19 pandemic command response topic group. The Chair of the topic group recorded to the other Members on the topic group, as well as all officers had supported the review. Evidence had been received from across the Council’s Senior Leadership Team. Some disappointment was expressed at the slow response from outside bodies although this had been due to the effects of the pandemic.

The review had placed emphasis on the role of Councillors during the pandemic and how important it was for them to receive regular information and communicate this to residents. The review had also recommended an annual meeting of Councillors to be updated on the emergency planning process. Other issues identified for the Council in relation to the pandemic had included a significant impact on finances and the impact on staff of working in the pandemic. The topic group hade concluded that sufficient support must be made available to staff.

It was clarified the gold, silver and bronze command related to the Council’s decision making structure during a pandemic with gold level being represented by the Chief Executive, silver the senior management team and bronze lower level managers.

Members supported the topic group report, feeling that it was well presented and detailed. Concerns were raised that many Councillors felt isolated from the pandemic response process. It was suggested by a Member that more training could be provided to Members on e.g. the Civil Contingencies Act. It was felt that communications overall had been good at the Council but that the role of Councillors had been underutilised. A more localised approach with more communications at ward level could be employed.

The topic group Chair added that clear evidence had been received from the Police that the notice period for new Regulations regarding the pandemic had been very short.

The Board noted the report of the pandemic command response topic group and AGREED to refer the recommendations of the topic group to a meeting of the Cabinet.