Councillor Peter McBride, Deputy Leader of the Council and Jacqui Gedman, Chief Executive, to provide an update.
Minutes:
The Committee received a verbal update from Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of the Council in relation to the Council’s priorities and the Covid-19 response. Jacqui Gedman, Chief Executive was also in attendance for this item.
Key points of note included:-
- The scale of the challenges faced were acknowledged and the work of staff, local councillors, partnerships and the voluntary community sector in responding to the national crisis at a local level was highlighted.
- It was anticipated that the recession would be the hardest in living memory and it was critical for partnership working to continue.
- In terms of financial resources, the LGA were developing a business case to ensure that local government could continue to move forward. Ambitions in relation to mental health, domestic violence, children’s services, adults social care and economic recovery would need government commitment and resources.
- The easing of lockdown and the dangers of complacency and a second spike were highlighted.
- Government had recognised that local government was at the vanguard of change and a Local Outbreak Control Board was being developed. However, the right data and clarification of powers was required, as were the resources to drive that agenda forward.
- Cabinet portfolios has been revised to oversee the immediate Covid-19 response and recovery strategy and an overview of this work was given.
- The Chief Executive added that this was a time were the Council had pushed boundaries beyond what was thought possible and it was important to build on the positive work as part of the recovery.
The Committee asked a number of questions and a summary of responses is noted below:-
- With regards to primary schools, it was noted that it was important to work with schools, parents and pupils, to provide reassurance and to listen to professional and government advice and focus was on what was best for the child.
- In terms of economic recovery, work was ongoing at a West Yorkshire level and strands included businesses and how to support them; employment and skills; environment and how to capture the environmental benefits that arisen during the Covid crisis and continue with the carbon challenge; local area investment; and infrastructure, including re-evaluation through learning.
It was also noted that work was taking place at local level to review town masterplanning to ensure that the plans remained the best way forward.
- Inequality was a key priority and it was important to review the impact of the Covid-19 experience. Analysis of the recently published Public Health study was being undertaken. Whilst there had previously been a strong focus on inclusivity and diversity, the Council was keen be bold and brave in this area and look at the impact of people’s real lived experiences.
- With regards to vulnerable children and safeguarding, a member of the Committee advised that they had attended the Children’s Improvement Board and was impressed by the work that had taken place to ensure that the most vulnerable children were kept protected. The Kirklees’ Children’s Safeguarding Board had met throughout lockdown and anecdotal feedback reflected that school staff had been out in the communities to check that those children potentially at risk, were well and looked after. The Leader welcomed this feedback and added that it was always important to receive robust feedback and challenge.
- In terms of the longer term impact on educational outcomes, it was noted that the Children’s Scrutiny Panel were keen to be look at the potential impact of missed school days and which communities might be most affected. It was requested that Cabinet Members include Scrutiny Lead Members on areas of work, so that Panels could determine how best to scrutinise the effectiveness of this work moving forward. The Leader acknowledged that it was important for Cabinet to link in with scrutiny and agreed that Cabinet Members should ensure that scrutiny lead members were briefed.
The Chief Executive advised that robust measures had been put in place to ensure that as many children as possible were in view and paid tribute to the children’s social workers and the Kirklees’ school system who had worked collaboratively with the Council and gone above and beyond to support vulnerable children.
- With regards to the need for resilience, councillor engagement was taking place to ensure that issues at a local level were being captured. It was noted that a number of local firms had responded to the PPE challenge and had reconfigured their business around that. Local supply chains were being developed and the Kirklees’ pound considered wherever possible.
- It was noted that a number of business had not been able to access government grants due to the stringent criteria stipulated. Analysis was being carried out to identify such businesses in order to see if a more flexible approach could be developed at a local level.
- The Council had worked closely with taxi drivers throughout the pandemic to ensure that they were abreast of and complying with guidelines. A number of drivers were involved in the home to school transport response and some had supported the voluntary capacity, which was welcomed. A piece of work was ongoing to look at whether there was more that could be done, particularly given the fact that taxis would play an important part in the public transport system moving forward. Consideration was also being given as to how best to share Public Health messages arising from the recent study with the community.
- The Committee were advised that the Leader had been in touch with local BAME community networks throughout the crisis. It was noted that a letter was being sent out to all faith organisations and community leaders across Kirklees regarding a forthcoming webinar event, which would be attended by both the Leader, and Cabinet Member for Leaning, Aspiration and Communities. It was agreed that details would be shared with all councillors via the weekly councillor communications bulletin.
- Concerns had been received from teachers with a BAME background. It was noted that union advice had been that if an employee did not go into work then they may be in breach of their contract. However, if an employee went into work and identified areas of concern, then they were reasonably in a position to say that they would not go into work as they felt their health was being comprised and report this to their union.
- Whilst there had not been a massive crisis in care homes locally, there was not enough testing across the sector and PPE had been an issue throughout. The Leader added that it was important that the adult social care sector was treated on a par with the NHS.
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It was noted that when other buildings were opened,
people would have concerns similar to those raised by schools and
it was questioned as to how the Council could support those
facilities to ensure that people are safe and feel safe.
The Committee were advised that the government had issued guidance to enable local authorities to develop Local Outbreak Control Boards, but it was awaiting funding and clarification as to how current powers could be used.
- In concluding the discussion, the Chair reported that it had been agreed for the following items to be exempt from call-in due to their urgency:
- Devolution Deal for West Yorkshire - Review, Scheme and Consultation (21 May 2020)
- Support to Adult Care Providers (26 May 2020)
- COVID-19 Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (26 May 2020)
RESOLVED: That the Committee:
1. Wished to place on record their thanks to staff for their hard work throughout the pandemic;
2. Noted the information presented and thanked the Leader and Chief Executive for their contribution to the meeting;
3. Agreed that items in relation to (i) climate change; (ii) inequality; and (iii) resilience for business would be considered by the relevant scrutiny panels;
4. That discussion would take place as to scrutiny of the Recovery strategy and the different strands therein;
5. Requested that Cabinet Members ensure that Scrutiny Lead Members received briefings on relevant areas of work.