Agenda item

North Norfolk District Council's actions in the Recovery phase of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options considered:

This report details the actions taken by North Norfolk District Council in responding to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic at a strategic, local and organisational level over the period December 2020 - March 2021.  Actions taken are outlined in the report.

 

These include:-

 

  • monitoring and responding to the rising number of local cases of COVID in the District during December 2020 and January 2021;
  • making payments of COVID business grants in respect of the Tier 4 lockdown in Norfolk from 26th December 2020 and then the third national lockdown from 4th January 2021;
  • supporting local health partners roll out delivery of the vaccine programme across North Norfolk;
  • development of advice and support for the staged re-opening of local businesses as per the national roadmap from 12th April, 17th May and 21st June;
  • preparing the District for the forthcoming visitor season through refreshing our “You are Welcome” reassurance programme, supported by social distancing measures, fogging of public toilets and other assets so as to provide as safe an environment for local residents and visitors as possible;
  • holding conversations with the Council’s staff about New Ways of Working beyond COVID capturing the benefits of remote working through maintaining customer service provision over the internet and telephone, whilst re-opening the offices to personal callers
  • participation in the Marie Curie National Day of Reflection by lighting up Cromer Pier in yellow lights;
  • holding discussions with the Norfolk Public Health Team to develop and deliver a programme of surveillance testing for local businesses over the coming months
  • continued to support twice weekly mobile testing facilities on Council car parks in Cromer, Fakenham and from early February in North Walsham
  • continued to participate 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 and in preparing for Recovery as lockdown restrictions are lifted in the coming months.

 

 

The Council’s response to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic has been led through regular meetings of its Local Co-ordination Group civil contingency arrangements which has considered options dynamically based on data on local case numbers and Government statements and announcements

 

Conclusions:

 

 

The report details the actions taken by the District Council during the period December 2020 – end of March 2021 in responding to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, including supporting our local communities and businesses during the extended third all-England lockdown and working with partners to support delivery of the local vaccination programme and in preparing the District for the forthcoming visitor season which is expected to be very busy with large numbers of staycation and day visitors.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

Cabinet is asked to note and comment upon the Council’s actions during the period December 2020 – end of March 2021 in responding to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, including supporting businesses during the extended third all-England lockdown, working with partners to support delivery of the local vaccination programme and preparing the District for the forthcoming tourist season.

 

To ensure the Council continues to support our residents, businesses and communities respond to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic and has in place necessary arrangements to support Recovery as lockdown restrictions are lifted and large numbers of tourist visitors are anticipated to spend time in the District in the coming months.

 

 

Cabinet Member(s)

 

Cllr Sarah Butikofer,

Leader of the Council

 

Ward(s) affected

 

All

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Steve Blatch, Chief Executive

Email:- steve.blatch@north-norfolk.gov.uk; Tel:- 01263 516232

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Chairman invited the Chief Executive to introduce this item. He began by saying that following a peak in early January, the number of Covid infections had continued to fall steadily in North Norfolk, and in the rolling 7 days to 6th April 2021, there were 5.7 recorded cases in the District, per 100,000 population, ensuring that North Norfolk had one of the lowest rates of local authority areas in England.

 

At 25th March 2021, 66% of the District’s population over the age of 16 – some 61,100 people have had their first vaccination, meaning the District had one of the highest rates of vaccination nationally with many people in the oldest age cohorts and some health and social care staff now also receiving their second dose of the vaccine, giving increased protection from infection, severity of illness and hospitalisation.

 

Following the Government’s announcement regarding the roadmap out of lockdown, the Council had been supporting and advising local businesses on re-opening. Looking ahead, preparations were being made to accommodate large numbers of visitors to the District in the coming months. Demand for holiday lets was very strong at the moment. Consequently, the fogging of public conveniences would continue and additional COVID Support Officers were also being employed by the Council over the summer months, paid for through funding made available to the Norfolk Public Health Team’s Controlling Outbreak Management Fund budget. They would provide advice to businesses in the coming weeks and help with managing the high number of visitors over the summer.

 

The Chief Executive went onto say that officers were discussing with local partners whether additional temporary / peak season parking capacity could be provided in the key resort towns of Cromer, Sheringham and Wells and the provision of more litter bins, street and beach cleansing services. Additional support was also being provided to hospitality venues regarding the use of outdoor space. He added that good progress was being made regarding the local elections on 6th May 2021, so that polling stations could be fully Covid-safe.

 

He went onto say that the Council was holding discussions with the Norfolk Public Health Team about a programme of asymptomatic surveillance testing for owners and staff of local businesses in the retail, tourism and hospitality sectors over the coming months as these sectors employed large numbers of staff in younger age groups unlikely to receive a vaccine until the mid to late summer.  Regular Lateral Flow Testing of this workforce would therefore give confidence to business owners and customers.

 

The Chairman invited comments and questions.

 

Cllr J Toye thanked all of the officers who continued to work tirelessly putting effective preparations in place for an influx of visitors.

 

Cllr R Kershaw said that he had been working with the Chief Executive and Gold Command for the last few months and he was impressed by how quickly the District Council had responded to requests from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Public Health England. He agreed that the planning for the summer season was well thought out and was progressing well.

 

RESOLVED unanimously

 

To note the Council’s actions during the period December 2020 – end of March 2021 in responding to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, including supporting businesses during the extended third all-England lockdown, working with partners to support delivery of the local vaccination programme and preparing the District for the forthcoming tourist season.

Supporting documents: