Agenda item

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 felt that all Members and more Officers should undertake the mental health first aider training in the future, given the increased focus on this area.

Councillor Kaiser questioned what was being done to involve communities, such as the BAME community, in the vaccination programme.  Councillor Margetts responded that positive messages regarding the safety of the vaccination were being targeted. 

RESOLVED 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.