Agenda item

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 May 2021, and detailing an outline of plans to support the recovery from Covid 19.

The Leader highlighted the key headlines in the report, which reflected the work undertaken both internally and externally by the Council during the pandemic. Cabinet noted the changes to lockdown levels since 17 May 2021, the overview and lifting of some restrictions, including the recent confirmation by the Government that the lifting of restrictions scheduled for 19 July 2021, would now go ahead, details of which were highlighted in the report.

The Leader referred to the importance of the financial support given to businesses throughout the pandemic, including business rate grants, the work of the High Street Ambassadors in helping the public and businesses  to comply with restrictions, additional work for Environmental Health due to an increase in non-compliance, and digital support grants. Of the £106k allocated to the Council in the Welcome Back funding, Cabinet noted that six of the larger town/parish councils had each received £10k.

In respect of leisure, the significant impact to this sector could not be underestimated and the Leader confirmed that since some restrictions were lifted on 17 May 2021, usage of the facilities has been very positive throughout, and activities including golf at Edwalton had also increased significantly, and it was hoped that trend would continue. 

The Leader referred to a number of grants that had been distributed, including funding for food parcels for vulnerable households, together with summer activity and food programmes for children eligible for free school meals.  Cabinet noted that since November 2020, over 6,500 payments had been made, with £15m of Government grants paid out to businesses, and a Special Hospitality Grant was also being allocated from remaining discretionary funds, with details of all grants highlighted in the report.  The Leader thanked the Director – Finance and Corporate Services and his team for their hard work and diligence during this challenging time. 

Cabinet was informed that in respect of events, Proms in the Park would now take place in September 2021.  The Leader was pleased to confirm that events including the Outdoor Theatre and Sunday Cinema would be held in August 2021.

In respect of track and trace and mass vaccinations, the Leader advised that the Gamston vaccination centre had administered more than 50,000 vaccines.  Cabinet noted that although the track and trace testing centre had been closed at the Arena, as its use had declined considerably, mobile testing sites were available at Cotgrave and Bingham and had been well received.  The Leader referred to the Isolation Scheme for people on low incomes, which had now been extended to include parents/guardians of children who had been told to self-isolate and it was pleasing to see those payments of £500 being made to those in need.

In conclusion, the Leader referred to the impact on service performance from Covid 19 and reiterated the importance of the scrutiny groups in monitoring performance through a suite of performance indicators.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Edyvean reiterated the importance of monitoring and responding to the impact of Covid 19, as the challenges already faced would continue going forward; however, the success of the vaccination programme was welcomed, and it was hoped that progress would continue.

Councillor Moore stated that it was very pleasing to see renewed optimism and flourishing businesses throughout the Borough and the speed with which the business grants had been paid out to businesses in Rushcliffe had proved to be a lifeline to so many of them. 

The Leader stated that he had recently met with a number of businesses in Cotgrave and had been encouraged to hear from them that business was going well, they were recruiting and were very optimistic for the future and had thanked the Council for its support during the pandemic. 

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.