Agenda item

Summary:

This report details the actions taken by North Norfolk District Council in the Recovery phase of the Coronavirus Pandemic at a strategic, local and organisational level over the period July – mid August 2020.

This includes:-

·         rolling out the “You are Welcome” reassurance programme to support local retail, hospitality and tourism businesses re- open through the implementation and ongoing review of practical social distancing measures and hand washing facilities so as to create and maintain safe, attractive town centre and seafront environments, in accordance with Government guidance through the Re-opening the High Street Safely Fundprogramme

·         with our cleansing contract partner, SERCO, responded to large numbers of visitors to the District through increasing the frequency of toilet cleansing, beach and foreshore cleansing and litter bin emptying in response to unprecedented levels of demand / rubbish

·         managing the re-opening of Council playgrounds following Government announcements on the phased easing of lockdown restrictions from 20th July

·         purchasing a fogging machine which has been deployed to reduce the potential transmission of Coronavirus on “high-touch” surfaces within the District Council’s public conveniences, playgrounds, foreshore shelters and on CromerPier

·         completing the paying out of Small Business Grants on behalf of the Government and operating a £2.76million Discretionary Grant Scheme over two phases and recently extended to provide support to some town and parish councils which have lost sources of regular income due to COVID.

·         Providing temporary accommodation for 55 individuals / households at a cost to date in this financial year of £317,000

·         making a successful bid for £330,000 under the Norfolk Tourism Sector Support Programme of the Norfolk StrategicFund

·         making a successful bid to the Government’s Getting Building Fund administered locally by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership for the North Walsham Heritage Action Zone Programme securing an additional £1.17million to support the early delivery of this important project to strengthen the appeal and vitality of North Walsham’s historic towncentre

·         supporting the Council’s leisure contractor, Everyone Active, with the re-opening of gym and fitness classes from 15th July and swimming facilities from 20th August

·         participating in regular meetings of the Norfolk Health Protection Board and Norfolk Health Engagement Board arrangements which are monitoring, reviewing and responding to local outbreaks of Coronavirus in the county in preparation for an anticipated increase of COVID infections in the coming months and by working with partners in Winter Preparedness arrangements

      Options Considered:

The report details the Council’s actions in the Recovery phase of the Coronavirus pandemic during July and August. Actions taken are outlined in thereport.

  Conclusions:

The report details the actions taken by the District Council during July and August in the Recovery phase of the Coronavirus Pandemic and of the ongoing preparations being made to support local communities and businesses adapt to a “new normal” as well as preparing for an anticipated increase in infections levels in the coming autumn and winter months.

  Recommendations:

Cabinet is asked to note and comment upon the Council’s actions during July and August in supporting communities and businesses across North Norfolk in managing Recovery from the Coronavirus Pandemic; and in preparing for an anticipated increase in infections during the autumn and winter months ahead.

Reasons for the Recommendations:

To inform corporate learning from experience gained through the Recovery phase of the pandemic, and preparedness to respond toan

anticipated increase in levels of infection in the months ahead.

Decision

Resolved:

To note and comment upon the Council’s actions during July and August in supporting communities and businesses across North Norfolk in managing Recovery from the Coronavirus Pandemic; and in preparing for an anticipated increase in infections during the autumn and winter months ahead.

Reasons for the Recommendations:

To inform corporate learning from experience gained through the Recovery phase of the pandemic, and preparedness to respond toan anticipated increase in levels of infection in the months ahead