Agenda item

Summary:

Options considered:

This report details the actions taken by North Norfolk District Council in making the transition from Response to Recovery in responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic at a strategic, local and organisational level over the period early May – mid June 2020.

This includes:-

• maintaining its dedicated COVID helpline and email address operated over extended Customer Service hours including weekends and Bank Holidays since 30^th March until the end of May and now operated over extended office hours;
• developing and putting in place with partners, transitioning support arrangements for the more than 2500 local residents who have been “shielding” and a similar number of people who have been self-isolating and have requested support from the Council with shopping and prescription deliveries;
• stepping down the operation of the 10 Local Co-ordination Centres as support arrangements for shielding and vulnerable people have become more formalised and established, meaning that the demand for support from the original arrangements put in place have reduced over time.
• paying out almost £52million of Small Business Grants on behalf of the Government and developed and launched a £2.76million Discretionary Grant Scheme.
• managing the re-opening of Council facilities – public toilets, coastal car parks and Cromer Pier in response to Government announcements on the easing of lockdown restrictions
• developing the “You are Welcome” reassurance programme to support local retail, hospitality and tourism businesses re-open in the coming weeks through the provision of advice and practical social distancing measures, hand washing facilities and local marketing initiatives, so as to create safe, attractive town centre and seafront environments, in accordance with Government guidance.
• developing Return to Work policies and putting in place a range of social distancing measures within the Council’s Cromer and Fakenham Connect offices which meet the COVID-secure workplace guidelines as we plan to move to a “new normal” level of public service provision.
• contributing to the development of the arrangements being made in Norfolk to develop and put in place arrangements for a Local Outbreak Control Plan for Norfolk in managing incidents of Coronavirus in the county in the coming months as the transmission and management of the virus moves into a different phase.

The report details the Council’s actions in responding to the Coronavirus pandemic during the Response phase and the transitional arrangements being made for the Recovery phase as the Council prepares to operate in a “new normal” environment as lockdown restrictions are eased nationally and the District prepares for a curtailed summer visitor season.  Options considered are outlined in the report.

Conclusions:

The report details the actions taken by the District Council in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic and of the preparations being made to support local communities and businesses “recover” from this unprecedented global event.

Recommendations:

Reasons for

Recommendations:

Cabinet is asked to note the Council’s response and arrangements made to support Recovery from the Coronavirus Pandemic; and specifically comment upon the following:-

·             the short-term actions proposed in respect of:-

·   opening up the Council’s services and facilities;

·   the development and implementation of social distancing measures through the “You are Welcome” programme to assist the Re-opening of our High Streets and Tourist Areas Safely

·   delivery of the Discretionary Business Grant Programme

·   the Council’s planning for the return of staff to their main roles from working at home and redeployment into other roles;

·   the implementation of measures so that the Council is able to demonstrate compliance with the COVID-secure workplace guidelines

·   understanding the contribution North Norfolk District Council will make in supporting the partnership actions outlined in the Norfolk Local Outbreak Control Plan which will be a key element of managing any future outbreaks of COVID19 in the District over the coming months.

·     the longer term need to review the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy in light of the changing financial situation of the Council and as a result undertake a review of the Council’s proposed programme of activity as previously detailed in the Corporate Plan and Delivery Plan.

To inform corporate learning from experience gained through the Response and initial Recovery phases of the pandemic, the implication of which will remain with the District for many months to come.

Cabinet Member(s)

Cllr Sarah Butikofer,

Leader of the Council

Ward(s) affected

All