Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the Officer response to the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny report into the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

RECOMMENDATION That Council:

1)              note the Officers’ responses and the recommendations as set out in the Overview and Scrutiny report and contained within this report and as agreed by the Executive;

2)              note the Officers’ responses to the two additional recommendations submitted by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee at its meeting on 20 January 2021 and as agreed by the Executive.

The Council considered the Officer Response to the Recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Report – WBC’s response to the Covid 19 pandemic, set out at Agenda pages 103 to 140.

It was proposed by Pauline Helliar-Symons and seconded by Charles Margetts that the recommendations, as set out in the report, be agreed.

Pauline Helliar-Symons praised the large amount of work undertaken by the scrutiny committees in the production of the report and the input from various organisations and partners such as the NHS and the Citizens Advice Bureau.  The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee had been provided with the results of the residents’ survey, which had been very positive towards the Council’s response to the pandemic.  She praised the cross party working that had been undertaken during the review.  Pauline Helliar-Symons emphasised the need for good work to continue and referred to the three most important priorities for the future, identified in the residents’ survey; support for local business, mental health and addressing loneliness.  The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee would continue to monitor progress.

Charles Margetts commented that the pandemic had had a wide ranging impact.  The report outlined work undertaken up to July but work still continued.  Charles Margetts advised that 19,000 welfare calls had been made to those who had been shielding, the clinically vulnerable and carers.  Wokingham Volunteer Centre had recruited 63 volunteers who had carried out 917 prescription runs.  504 volunteers had been recruited to support the vaccination programme and 220 of those had assisted in the Lateral Flow Testing programme.  He went on to outline some of the support provided to residents during the pandemic.

Sarah Kerr commented that the response from the Council and the community, to the pandemic had been phenomenal.  She expressed concern regarding the response to some of the recommendations and felt that issues such as poverty should have been on the agenda at an earlier stage.

Andy Croy stated that it had been suggested that the Council work with poverty fighting charities, but this had not been agreed and included in the final report.

John Kaiser referred to the additional £1.2million allocated to support the response to the pandemic.

Jim Frewin stated that the Council should be applauded for the cross party working and partnership working that had been undertaken.  His comments were echoed by Pauline Jorgensen.

Pauline Helliar-Symons commented that the recommendation around working with poverty charities had not been included in the report as the Poverty Strategy was already under development.

RESOLVED:  That Council:

1)    note the Officers’ responses and the recommendations as set out in the Overview and Scrutiny report and contained within this report and as agreed by the Executive;

2)    note the Officers’ responses to the two additional recommendations submitted by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee at its meeting on 20 January 2021 and as agreed by the Executive.

That:

1)              the Officers’ responses be noted and the recommendations as set out in the Overview and Scrutiny report and contained within this report be agreed;

2)              the Officers’ responses be noted and the two additional recommendations submitted by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, at its meeting on 20 January 2021, be agreed.

The Executive considered a report setting out the Officer response to the recommendations included in the report from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee following their review of the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Pauline Helliar-Symons, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee introduced the report.  She praised the research that had been undertaken during the review, the contribution made by all of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and the cross party working undertaken. 

Councillor Helliar-Symons highlighted that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee had been provided with results of the residents’ survey regarding how the Council had responded to the pandemic, which had been very positive.   Twelve areas had been reviewed and Councillor Helliar-Symons highlighted the impact on people’s mental health, poverty and care leavers needing exemption from council tax to the age of 25, as areas that Members had had particular concerns about.  She was pleased to note that a number of these had been or were already being addressed. 

Staff welfare had been a key priority throughout the pandemic and 45 members of staff were training to become mental health first aiders. 

Councillor Helliar-Symons praised the way in which the Council had worked with its partners throughout the pandemic.  It was hoped that this would continue and that lessons would continue to be learned.  Two recommendations around this had been added.

Councillor Jorgensen commented that there had been quick decision making in a crisis and questioned how this had been funded.  Councillor Kaiser indicated that the Council had started the pandemic with a good level of reserves but also a crisis had not been allowed to turn into a disaster.  Staff had been very adaptable, and a good level of support had been received from the Voluntary Sector.  Government grants had also been received.

With regards to the response from the Voluntary Sector, Councillor Margetts indicated that the response initially focused on food and prescription delivery and was now focused on supporting the vaccination delivery.  He praised the partnership working with the Voluntary Sector.

Councillor Clark asked how well the Council was performing in comparison to other local authorities with regards to vaccinations and tests.  Councillor Margetts responded that the supply of vaccinations had been an issue, but that vaccination of Group 6 had begun.  He believed that Wokingham was slightly further ahead than neighbouring boroughs.  The Council was providing support in the form of buildings and volunteers amongst others.  He had written to the CCG for further information on vaccinations. 

Councillor Clark commented that Children’s Services always ensured that children were safe, and the schools and settings were supported.  She felt that greater reference could have also been made to Kooth.  Councillor Helliar-Symons indicated that the report could not be amended but that Councillor Clark’s comments would be taken on board.

Councillor Smith stated that the way staff had adapted to the situation and had interacted with community groups, was admirable.

Councillor Murray praised the focus of the report on mental health.  He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99