Agenda item

To consider a report outlining the Council’s Community Response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including partner and locality working (50 mins)

The Committee considered a report, set out in agenda pages 41 to 66, which outlined Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC’s) initial response with regards to the community response to the Covid-19 (C-19) pandemic.

The report outlined that the ambition was to support vital community services and deliver public health advice for a consistent response. Communications were critical in enabling an effective response throughout the lockdown, whilst supporting the Borough’s vulnerable residents. WBC proactively phone called the most vulnerable residents within the Borough as a welfare check, to make sure they had access to vital services and resources.

WBC ran the community hub to provide access to food for residents that were in need. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was also provided to the voluntary sector as and when required. A mobility programme was undertaken in order to allow shielded residents to regain any lost mobility as a result of lockdown shielding. All aspects of the community response were regularly reviewed and adjusted.

Regarding the Wokingham Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), it was stated that a large part of the response was down to assistance from WBC officers, and the CAB was very thankful to Martin Sloan and a range of other WBC officers for their support. The ‘one front door’ system helped over 3200 clients’ access a range of services and support. The CAB had received a 180% increase in employment related inquiries throughout the lockdown period. Calls were received for help with food and prescriptions, and other needs such as housing were identified during these calls. Feedback on the support offered via the CAB was received and monitored throughout lockdown.

Martin Sloan (Head of Service – Community Care Services) and Jake Morrison (Chief Executive – Wokingham CAB) attended the meeting to answer Member queries.

During the ensuing discussions, Members raised the following points and queries:

·           It was noted that the overall community response had been fantastic, and a job well done. The ‘one front door’ system worked very well as it allowed residents needs to be picked up in a central place. Members were keen to make sure that the CAB was properly funded to allow for the same level of service to be delivered going forwards.

·           How long would it take to set up the food hub again if required? Officer response – The plan was that the food hub would not be required to be set up again, as there were now better avenues to distribute food to those in need. If a food hub was required, the Borough leisure centres would need to be closed and volunteers would need to be sought. If necessary, the hub could be opened within days, however it was likely that other avenues would provide better options.

·           Would WBC be reimbursed for PPE given out to voluntary organisations? Officer response – The Government has told Local Authorities to provide PPE to suitable organisations for the time being, and hopefully grant funding would be forthcoming.

·           It was noted that the national food parcel scheme was not particularly effective, and this would be better delivered on a local level. WBC was prepared to deliver this within the Borough if required.

·           Was the voluntary sector mental health contact funded by WBC? Officer response – Mental health issues were identified and signposted and approved via the integration board through the ring-fenced better care fund. This filled the gap in the service that WBC offered, and allowed for other parts of the voluntary sector to receive the appropriate training.

·           It was noted by Jake Morrison that the CAB wanted to see if the ‘one front door’ system could offer additional help, by tracing whether wellbeing of service users was better after 3 to 4 weeks from the first point of contact. This would allow the CAB to view the bigger picture and thereby achieve better outcomes for clients. There were studies which showed plenty of links between other issues and mental health, and this was therefore a priority.

·           It was noted that WBC had been ahead of the curve in several areas, including requiring those entering care homes from hospital to have had a negative C-19 test, and providing PPE to those organisations in need before the Government made this a policy. In addition, WBC managed to find housing for all those homeless individuals who wished to have housing provided. WBC would continue to bid for additional funding to cover services where available.

RESOLVED That:

1)     Martin Sloan and Jake Morrison be thanked for attending the meeting;

2)     The report, questions, and responses be used within the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee’s overall report on WBC’s initial response to the C-19 pandemic.