Agenda item

To note the Committee’s final report to the Executive on the Council’s response to the pandemic and to consider any issues arising for inclusion in the 2021/22 Overview and Scrutiny Work Programmes.

The Committee considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 15 to 46, which referred to the Committee’s report: WBC Response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Committee had agreed the 10 recommendations in the report on the pandemic at its meeting on 25 November 2020. The final report brought together the results of a number of Scrutiny reviews undertaken by the four Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 25 February 2021. The Executive would also consider a report setting out the officer response to the recommendations in the O&S report.

The Committee was requested to consider the process for developing the O&S report on the pandemic and any learning points. It was also asked to consider any ongoing issues for inclusion in the 2021/22 Overview and Scrutiny Work Programmes (considered later on the Agenda).

In the ensuing discussion, the following points were raised:

The recommendations in the report did not include reference to the importance of building on the improved levels of partnership working arising out of the pandemic. It was confirmed that the Committee’s report had been submitted and could not be amended. However, it was possible to ask the Executive to consider further points alongside the recommendations in the report.

A number of positive operational issues had arisen during the pandemic, including the move to home working, positive support to care homes and rough sleepers and new methods of service delivery. It was suggested that this point also be referred to the Executive for consideration.

Could the report to the Executive include an update on the latest developments relating to the Council’s response to the pandemic?

Could the report to the Executive be re-titled: WBC “initial” response to the pandemic?

It was suggested that two items be considered for inclusion in the 2021/22 Work Programme:

·           Opportunities arising out of the “green recovery” from the pandemic;

·           The impact of the pandemic on the Council’s structures and ways of working – the new normal.

The report on the pandemic highlighted the impact on female employment. It was suggested that the impact of the current lockdown on nurseries be highlighted in that Early Years settings were funded based on the number of children actually attending rather than the number of children registered. It was suggested that this issue be raised at the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was proposed by Sarah Kerr and seconded by Guy Grandison that:

·           the Executive ensures that the improved partnership working between the Council and external organisations not only continues, but is further developed.

·           the Executive ensures that the lessons learnt from operationally managing the pandemic are not only continued, but are further developed and supported.

On being put to the vote, the proposal was approved.

RESOLVED That:

1)     the final version of the O&S report on the WBC response to the pandemic be noted;

2)     in addition to the recommendations in the report, the Chairman write to the Leader of the Council requesting that the Executive consider the following points:

·      that the improved partnership working between the Council and external organisations not only continues, but is further developed;

·      that the lessons learnt from operationally managing the pandemic are not only continued, but are further developed and supported.

3)     the issue of funding for early years settings during the current lockdown be considered at the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

4)     the following items be added to the Committee’s Work Programme:

·      Opportunities arising out of the “green recovery” from the pandemic;

·      The impact of the pandemic on the Council’s structures and ways of working – the new normal.