To receive a verbal update from the Chief Executive on the Council’s response to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Minutes:
The CE introduced the item and stated that with high and rising cases of Cvoid-19 over the Christmas and new year period, the Government had announced a new lockdown on the 4th January, which would be formally reviewed on the week of the 22nd February. It was noted that the Prime Minister had stated that Schools in England would not reopen until at least the 8th March, suggesting that the current lockdown would continue for a further five weeks. The CE stated that it was hoped that during this time, case numbers would continue to fall, reducing pressure on hospitals and health services, whilst allowing good progress to be made on the rollout of the vaccination programme. It was reported that North Norfolk had seen some of the lowest levels of infection in the country during the first peak of the pandemic, throughout the summer and into the autumn. The CE stated that until the 14th December, the District had not seen more than 100 cases per day. Beyond this date however, cases had risen rapidly both locally and nationally, with 442 cases recorded on the 4th January. This equated to an infection rate of 421.6 cases per 100k, with the countywide infection rate at 505 per 100k, compared to a national rate of 680.5 per 100k. The CE reported that since then cases had fallen steadily with 169 cases or 161.2 per 100k on the 26th January, against a Norfolk rate of 323.7 per 100k, whilst the England rate was 309.5. It was noted that North Norfolk was the only District in the county to report an infection rate below 200 per 100k since the new year. The CE reported that the cumulative total of cases since March 2020 now stood at 2659 in North Norfolk as of the 31st January, giving a total of 2536 per 100k, compared to Norfolk’s average of 3919 and the England average of 5936 per 100k. This meant that North Norfolk continued to have one of the lowest cumulative rates of infection of any local authority area in the country, at 304 of 314 local authority areas in England.
The CE stated that the total number of Covid deaths in North Norfolk as of the 31st January was 153 deaths since the start of the pandemic, giving a rate of 145.9 per 100k, compared to a Norfolk average of 156 per 100k and an England average of 166 per 100k. It was stated that North Norfolk was 195th of 314 local authority areas in England, which was potentially the result of having an older demographic. The CE stated that the Council continued to promote Government messages to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. It was noted that these messages had been promoted particularly in areas where the infection rate was higher, and that Covid marshals had been deployed to provide support and guidance in town centres, as well as making food and prescription deliveries in emergency situations.
The CE reported that the Economic Growth Team had continued to administer an additional £25m of Government grants to businesses, and the Council had been recognized as part of independent research by the New Anglia LEP for paying out more grants than any other authority in Norfolk. He added that the Team had also launched the additional restrictions discretionary business grant scheme on the 11th January, which had paid out over £143k to 139 businesses, with eligibility being broadened further to provide support to additional businesses. It was reported that staff in the Benefits Team continued to make payments under the test and trace scheme, with people on low incomes that had either tested positive or were having to self-isolate.
On Covid testing, the CE reported that test facilities continued to be run on Council owned car parks in Cromer and Fakenham, to avoid residents having to travel for a test, where possible. It was noted that that the Cromer testing site was opening four days per week, and the Fakenham site on two days per week. The CE referred to the vaccine programme, and reported that Fakenham Medical Practice was the first site in North Norfolk to offer vaccinations to people over 80, as well as health and social care staff from 14th December, with vaccination centres opening in Sheringham, North Walsham and Hoveton from mid-January. He added that from 6th February a new large scale vaccination centre would operate from North Walsham Community Centre, and the Council were supporting this by suspending parking charges in the New Road car park for people attending appointments. The CE stated that visitors would therefore be encouraged to use alternate car parks from the end of the week.
The CE reported that the Council continued to operate its Gold civil contingency arrangements to develop and agree the local response, as well as working together with the Norfolk Resilience Forum. It was noted that Cllr R Kershaw was representing the Council at these meetings on behalf of the Leader during her absence. In anticipation of a busy summer ahead, consideration was already being given as how to best open up the District, whilst keeping visitors safe as the vaccination programme continued.
Questions and Discussion
i. Cllr R Kershaw stated that it was good news to hear that North Walsham Community Centre would become a vaccine hub, and thanked officers for making the necessary arrangements.
ii. Cllr J Toye stated his thanks to officers for their continued efforts to address the challenges presented by Covid-19.
iii. Cllr L Withington stated that Cromer testing site did not show up as available on the booking website during weekends, which meant that Sheringham residents were having to travel to Norwich for a test. She asked if this was a result of booking availability or an issue with the system. The CE replied that there were two issues, the first being that the mobile site in Cromer only operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and trying to book on a different day could potentially cause the system to show that no bookings were available. He added that he could chase this issue up to see if it could be resolved. On vaccinations, the CE stated that under the current arrangements residents in Cromer and surrounding areas were required to go to North Walsham to receive their vaccinations, though transport options were available if required. He added that representations would continue to be made for the creation of a vaccination site in Cromer.