Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that the work of officers of the Council and partners in responding to and supporting the recovery from Covid 19 be noted.

The Leader presented the report of the Chief Executive, providing an update on the work completed to date on response and recovery due to the Covid 19 pandemic since December 2020.

The Leader highlighted the key headlines in the report, which reflected the work undertaken both internally and externally by the Council during the pandemic and Cabinet noted the changes to lockdown levels since November 2020, and the overview of restrictions placed on both residents and businesses.  As part of that national lockdown, the significant impact to the Council’s finances caused by the closure of the Borough’s leisure centres was acknowledged.  The Leader referred to the actions taken by the Council in response to the changing lockdown restrictions, details of which were highlighted in the report. Cabinet was advised that the Council had applied for funding to help with the loss of income from its leisure centres and it was hoped that it would be successful, to ensure continued support for such key community facilities.

The Leader reiterated the importance of the financial support given to businesses throughout the pandemic, with a further £7m paid out since December 2020, and paid tribute to officers who had worked so hard to facilitate that.

The Leader referred to the successful running of the test and trace facility at the Arena and the community vaccine centre at Gamston, both of which would continue to play an important role going forward.

In conclusion, the Leader thanked officers and Councillors for their continued hard work during such unprecedented times.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Edyvean referred to the vital funding from Central Government to support local businesses, many of which would not have survived such unprecedented times without it.  Officers had acted swiftly to ensure the effective distribution of those funds and many businesses had expressed their thanks to the Council.  The Cabinet acknowledged the work undertaken by other services, in particular, the excellent refuse collection service, which had continued throughout the pandemic, Planning Services and Customer Service support for residents.

The Leader referred to the continued adaptability of the Council, in its working practices and service delivery and the considerable challenges that had been faced over the past 12 months.  The Leader also acknowledged the work undertaken by the various services, together with the ongoing aspirations of the Council in respect of its capital projects, and the work being undertaken to bring those projects to fruition.

It was RESOLVED that the work of officers of the Council and partners in responding to and supporting the recovery from Covid 19 be noted.