Issue - meetings

This report sets out the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic following a major incident being formally declared across Surrey on 19 March 2020. 

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Noted the significant action taken by the Council and its staff in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including providing essential support to the most vulnerable in the local community and to local businesses and action to keep essential services running.

(2)      Refered an updated version of this report to the next full Council meeting for consideration by all Members.

The Committee received a report setting out the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic following a major incident being formally declared across Surrey on 19 March 2020.

The Chief Executive introduced the report to the Committee and expressed her thanks to the voluntary organisations, councillors and officer team for their work to ensure the Council could support those in need.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Thanks and congratulations to officers. The Committee expressed its thanks and congratulations to the Council’s Officers for all their work in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

b)            Access to local data. The Committee was informed that work was underway at a strategic level to ensure that the Council could access the local data necessary to manage the impact of Covid-19. The Council was engaging with the Surrey Local Resilience Forum and had contributed to the Local Outbreak Plan

c)            Audit Committee review. Officers were congratulated on having an existing Pandemic Emergency Plan and other emergency planning documentation in advance of the current pandemic. In response to a request from a member of the Committee regarding the Council’s other emergency plans, the Committee noted that the Audit, Crime and Disorder and Scrutiny Committee would be likely to consider a review of the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic at a future date, and that the Council’s other plans could be encompassed within this as part of its evidence base.

d)            High Street Task Force. The Committee was informed that the Council had reacted very quickly to set up a task force in conjunction with Surrey Police, Surrey County Council and major retailers to make sure that the Town and high streets across the Borough were both safe and welcoming. A member expressed a concern about current arrangements within a part of the Ashley Centre Mall and it was noted that officers would work with the Mall to address these.

e)            ICT provision and remote working. In response to a question from a member regarding ICT provision for councillors and officers, the Chief Operating Officer informed the Committee that given the Council’s small size and limited resources, its ICT facilities were good. The Council’s Citrix system had enabled it to respond promptly to the pandemic emergency and ensure that essential frontline services could continue to operate. The Council’s officer leadership team were keen to make sure that the benefits of flexible remote working were retained in future where possible.

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Noted the significant action taken by the Council and its staff in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including providing essential support to the most vulnerable in the local community and to local businesses and action to keep essential services running.

(2)      Referred an updated version of the report to the next full Council meeting for consideration by all Members.