Issue - meetings

RESOLVED –

That the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic as detailed in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report be noted.

M Tett, Leader of the Council, introduced the report and explained that in early March 2020 it became clear that the Covid-19 outbreak was likely to have huge implications for the UK, with a national lockdown implemented on 24 March 2020.

The ‘Buckinghamshire Council - Our Response to Covid-19 2020-21’ report, attached as Appendix 1, reflected on the responses and achievements of the Council, including those delivered in partnership with others, during the unprecedented challenges faced over the last year.

The report sat alongside the Buckinghamshire Council Annual Report 2020-2021, which reflected the successes and achievements delivered against the Council’s Corporate Plan 2020-2023 during the inaugural year of the Buckinghamshire Council.

G Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health informed Members that at the start of the pandemic 150 members of staff from all areas of the Council had come together to provide assistance to the identified 17,000 clinically extremely vulnerable people in the Buckinghamshire Council area.  The efforts had been led by the senior management team but had extended all the way down through the organization.  The voluntary and community sector had also pulled together very quickly to help co-ordinate volunteers.  1,800 residents had stepped forward to volunteer (far greater than initially expected) which had been a huge effort.  Special thanks were extended to the Public Health team for all of their efforts over the last year.

Members commented on the ‘Buckinghamshire Council - Our Response to Covid-19 2020-21’ report, and highlighted the following areas and achievements:

-                     Housing and Homelessness team – through providing accommodation and support for homeless people, that was already changing many lives.

-                     Thanks were extended to the Chief Executive and the senior management for their leadership in responding to Covid – which included weekly briefings for Members, to all of the Council’s partners, and to the Leader of the Council for his leadership and direction throughout the year.

-                     On the speed with which the Council had been able to re-distribute Covid grant funding provided by the Government to local businesses.

-                     That the Covid report explained well how the Council, Council staff and Members had responded quickly to the pandemic, and how the Council had been supported by partners, volunteers and the public.

Members also commented that the pandemic was not over yet so it was still important for everyone to heed guidance and advice to continue to keep people safe as the country moved back towards what was hopefully normality.

RESOLVED –

That the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic as detailed in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report be noted.