Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader and Lead Member for the Economy and Corporate Governance (copy enclosed) updating Cabinet on the management of the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic in Denbighshire and North Wales and seeking agreement on the process for managing recovery.

Vote taken: 8 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions

RESOLVED that Cabinet note the contents of the report, support the actions taken and agree the next steps as set out within the report.

Councillor Hugh Evans introduced the report updating Cabinet on the management of the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic in Denbighshire and North Wales and seeking agreement on the process for managing recovery as set out in the report.

The Leader highlighted the united and innovative approach taken in responding to coronavirus.  He paid tribute to all those involved in working collaboratively in the face of difficult challenges in order to achieve the best outcomes, the adaptation of democratic and governance arrangements, and to ensure quick decision making and timely responses to ministerial announcements.  In looking forward to recovery a number of broad themes had been proposed together with measures to secure members’ engagement in the formation and delivery of the recovery plan and subsequent re-establishment of more usual democratic processes such as scrutiny.

The Chief Executive also paid tribute to staff and members for their work and support in recent times.  She guided members through the report detail as follows –

·         outlined the emergency planning arrangements and role of the Strategic Emergency Management Team in tackling both strategic and operational issues and the development of new services and approaches to service delivery

·         detailed the regional response overseen by the Strategic Command Group

·         advised that the nature of the pandemic meant that the response phase was likely to continue for some time alongside the recovery phase

·         explained the recovery phase would involve restarting services safety and collaborating regionally on planning future recovery of the impact of Covid-19

·         proposed that internal governance around recovery would focus on a number of key themes each with a designated lead officer and lead member

·         confirmed that regionally the recovery process would be led by a multi-agency Recovery Co-ordination Group around key regional recovery themes, and

·         provided details of the financial impact of Covid-19 which had already been significant and confirmed regular updates would be provided to members.

Councillor Richard Mainon referred to his report to Group Leaders (Appendix 3 to the report) detailing proposed interim arrangements for involving the wider council membership in the recovery response, with an emphasis on inclusion, taking into account both the need for effective challenge and quick and efficient decision making.  He had been heartened by the response to the proposals which had been well received by members and Group Leaders as they looked to work collectively and flexibly to address different circumstances and the need for urgent decisions.

The following issues were raised during the ensuing debate –

·         Councillor Bobby Feeley highlighted the valued work of Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL) during lockdown, including the redeployment of staff to help other service areas, and paid tribute to their hard work during a difficult time for the service.  Cabinet acknowledged and appreciated the part played by DLL staff

·         Councillor Mark Young thanked those staff from Planning and Public Protection for all their hard work, dedication and professionalism in carrying out the Test, Track and Protect (TTP) Programme and their other duties.  The valuable advice and support provided had also been recognised regionally in their response to the cluster of cases in Anglesey and Wrexham.  Given the obvious importance of the TTP Programme he asked for a commitment to help ensure sufficient funding for the department to continue that work.  The Leader acknowledged the key role of the TTP Programme and expressed his appreciation for the work undertaken by officers in that regard which was over and above their usual duties.  Given the future uncertainties in terms of resource required and potential impact on other services there would likely be challenges in delivering that regional priority.  The Chief Executive added that the regional group had re-evaluated the level of funding required for the TTP Programme to provide for additional staff over an eighteen month contract which should enable existing staff to return to their normal roles in a phased way.  Due to future uncertainties the situation would be closely monitored.  Councillor Bobby Feeley expressed her disappointment that Public Health Wales had not instigated the TTP Programme at an earlier stage

·         Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts paid tribute to all staff who had gone above and beyond to support residents, particularly those on the frontline.  As Lead Member for Education he thanked all those staff for their efforts in making it possible to re-open schools over the next three weeks and benefits that would bring.  In considering the recovery response and members’ involvement he expressed concern that a number of recent projects, which had come about because of Covid-19, had not been subject to the usual democratic process and level of scrutiny.  He referred to the funding secured through the Local Sustainable Transport Covid Response Fund as an illustrative example.  The Leader accepted the point made and explained that the Council had been required to react very quickly to ministerial statements in order to secure funding for specific Covid projects as a consequence of the current circumstances.  Given those circumstances and the need for quick decisions, there had not been time to go through the usual processes in scrutinising effectiveness, and it was also accepted that in some cases the approach may create problems but in others would be really effective such as the business grant funding.  In responding specifically to the Local Sustainable Transport funding secured Councillor Brian Jones had been supportive of the project and reported upon how some of the project proposals had been communicated with local members, predominately through the Member Area Groups, together with engagement of the wider business community.  Other members also confirmed the nature and outcome of the consultations on the proposals in their local areas

·         Councillor Graham Timms referred to the climate and ecological emergency agenda and hoped that there would be some provision for that in the recovery plan.  The Leader and Chief Executive acknowledged that adapting to different ways of working as a result of the pandemic had provided opportunities in progressing that agenda, with a positive effect on carbon reduction, which would be embedded in future practice.  Monitoring carbon emissions and working to meet those targets would be carried out through the recovery process

·         in response to Councillor Martyn Holland’s request for data on coronavirus hotspots within North Wales, the Chief Executive confirmed that some information had been received that morning from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in that regard which would be discussed with the Lead Member prior to circulation of a briefing note to all members thereon.

RESOLVED that Cabinet note the contents of the report, support the actions taken and agree the next steps as set out within the report.