Agenda item

This report provides Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Members with the opportunity to scrutinise the latest steps taken by the Council to assist Medway to continue recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Discussion:

The Committee considered a report on the latest steps taken by the Council to assist Medway to continue its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Members noted that, since the report had been produced, the Council had gone back into a response phase due to the rising number of cases of Covid-19 nationally. Also, further information had been received on additional Government funding.  

Although the Council continued to support recovery, stepping back into the response phase had meant that front facing services had been asked to establish what the position would be if Medway were to move from the medium to the high level at which point a number of further restrictions would come into place. At present Medway’s figures were low compared to the rest of the South East and the rest of the country. The Council was putting out very clear messaging and, consistent with partners in the Kent Resilience Forum, was currently asking the community not to go trick or treating during Halloween. 

Members considered that communications had been good during the pandemic and the importance of reaching young people through social media was highlighted. The Committee was advised that a Communications Plan was being developed and would be actioned should there be a move to tier 2. The notification process for moving to a higher tier would take place over several days and this would help ensure that all Members were alerted in a timely manner.

Members were advised that the Council had been carrying out joint enforcement with Kent Police on the track and trace requirements for businesses and had found that there was a high degree of compliance given that businesses had to ensure the safety of their customers whilst also encouraging them to continue to shop at their premises. Funding of around £150,000 had been received to enable enforcement to continue although the Council did not have the authority to enforce the position inside premises. The Council would seek to continue the message that this was a matter of personal responsibility.

Further information was sought on measures that would be put in place for managing parking permits should there be a move to tier 2. The Chief Legal Officer undertook to respond to the Member outside the meeting. He also undertook to ask the Director of Public Health to advise members of the Committee of any plans for a locally based test, track and trace system. Given that a number of staff had been willing to be redeployed to carry out essential roles where appropriate as part of the Council’s response and recovery, the Chief Legal Officer expressed confidence that there would be a sufficient number of suitable colleagues to fulfil this role should it be required.

Referring to the situation at the University campuses within Medway, the Chief Legal Officer advised that the Council had an excellent relationship with the Universities. They were taking appropriate steps in line with Government guidance and Council advice in respect of both the learning and home environment for students.

Decision:

The Committee scrutinised and noted the Council’s role in the recovery phase of the Covid-19 pandemic.