Agenda item

The Leader presented the report that gave an update on the progress made to date by the Council and its partners to recover services and supporting Newport’s communities as part of the Council’s Strategic Recovery Aims.

 

The Leader stated that we have all experienced in some way the impact that Covid- 19 and the lockdown has had on the City’s communities, businesses and economy and the delivery of Council services.

Since March, the Council’s primary focus has been to preserve life, minimise the spread of the virus across communities; sustain the Council’s front line and supporting services; and supporting the vulnerable that have either been impacted directly by covid-19 or the lockdown measures.

The report confirmed that in June, Cabinet endorsed the four Strategic Recovery Aims that support the delivery of the Council’s Wellbeing Objectives but also ensure the Council’s services can return safely and manage future outbreaks. 

A summary of the Council’s response since March following the introduction of lockdown measures by the Welsh and UK Governments is contained in the report.

 

Throughout this period the Council’s emergency response team (Covid Gold) has been overseeing the delivery of operational and strategic activities in response to community outbreaks and lockdown measures.

At this point in time, covid-19 remains prevalent across South East Wales and it is for this reason that the Council remains vigilant but also flexible to support any necessary measures and to also support the communities across the city. 

The report highlighted the Council’s response across its service areas including the collaborative work with the Council’s partners in the Public Services Board, community groups and third sector partners. 

Full details of the Council’s activities are included in the report, some examples are:

 

o          Through collaboration between the Council’s Digital Services and Shared Resource Service (SRS) the Council’s staff were mobilised to work remotely from home using Microsoft Teams, laptops and other services.

 

o          Significant pressures were encountered by the Council’s Adult & Community Services to ensure all staff had access to the necessary personal protective equipment and ensure service users continued to receive care.  Throughout, the Council’s Adult teams have supported adults in residential homes, occupational therapy and domiciliary care settings. 

 

o          The Council’s Children’s Services utilised social media and technology to maintain contact with families and children, with necessary support provided to foster carers, respite and care settings.

 

 

o          With the closure of schools, pupils had to be educated at home using technology such as Google Classroom and video conferencing.  With the hard work of the Council’s schools, Education services and SRS support was provided to children identified as digitally excluded and the Council provide the equipment and access they needed. 

 

o          Whilst the schools were closed for educational purposes, many schools and the Council’s Neighbourhood Hubs provided childcare support for children of key workers and 60 vulnerable learners.  

 

 

o          The Council’s City Services and Wastesavers continued to collect waste from households and businesses.

 

o          Many public areas (parks, cemeteries, attractions) and leisure services had to close to ensure social distancing measures were in place, but as restrictions have eased these areas have been re-opened to the public.

 

 

o          The Council’s Finance services supported local businesses by administering over 2,100 grant claims totalling £27m as well as over £19m business rates relief for nearly 1,000 businesses.  This work has really helped to keep Newport’s businesses afloat. 

 

o          The city’s economy has been impacted by the lockdown measures and as restrictions have eased, the Council’s Regulatory services, Regeneration team and City Services have been supporting businesses to ensure safe environments are in place for customers and staff. 

 

o          Involvement with community leaders across the City’s BAME and marginalised communities ensuring they have access to the necessary services, sharing advice and guidance and raising incidents of hate related crime.

 

•           With the easing of restrictions, the Council has been working towards restoring and delivering services in Newport.  The Leader wanted to be absolutely clear that we are at a point where increased restrictions may be introduced with the situation of the virus at the moment.  The situation remains fluid and ever-changing.  There is a potential that we may have to move back to operating on an emergency footing should the situation change.

 

•           The report presented to Cabinet provided an overview of the current ongoing work being undertaken and planned across services:

 

o          Welcome the return of schools and the effort that they have undertaken to ensure establishments are safe environments for pupils and staff.  This has been a very difficult time for pupils and schools and education staff will remain vigilant throughout this period to support both mainstream and vulnerable pupils. 

 

o          Recommencing Adult Learning and supporting adults to access training and new skills.

 

o          Neighbourhood Hubs offering online and ‘phone support to people looking for work and supporting the Cardiff Capital Region in the promotion of a virtual jobs fair across South East Wales.

 

 

o          The commitment to encourage and open up opportunities for young BAME people to access apprenticeship schemes in the Council and across the city.

 

o          Regeneration work has recommenced on key projects such as Market Arcade, the IAC building.

 

 

o          Purchasing new electric refuse vehicles as part of the Council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

 

o          Supporting residential and domiciliary settings/providers across Newport with their recovery planning and long term financial stability. 

 

 

o          Received additional funding from Welsh Government to deliver active travel projects including Monkey Island and City Centre schemes.

 

o          Reopening of cultural sites such as the Transporter Bridge and Fourteen Locks. 

 

 

o          Supporting the establishment of a Test, Trace and Protect service across the Gwent authorities and ABUHB.

 

o          Supporting Council staff to work more flexibly from home and across Council sites and opening up new ways for communities to engage with the Council. 

 

 

o          The Council has secured funding of over £4.8m to build over 200 new affordable homes.

 

o          Supporting homeless and rough sleepers (alongside our partners) to secure permanent accommodation and support. 

 

 

o          The Council is undertaking a Community Impact Assessment to understand, learn and support communities that have been impacted by Covid 19.

 

o          Reopening of Neighbourhood Hubs (on an appointment basis) to provide childcare and support for the communities.

The Leader invited her Cabinet colleagues to comment:

 

Cllr Rahman thanked the Leader for her unfailing support and leadership throughout this pandemic.  The Leader thanked Cllr Rahman for his kind comments.

 

Cllr Truman gave a massive thanks to staff who have stepped up and who are doing other work over and above their day jobs to ensure services are maintained during this pandemic.

 

Cllr Giles wanted to give a message to stop the misinformation about council staff not working – teaching staff and staff across the authority have worked tirelessly throughout this time.  She commended the Health and Safety Team for the advice and support provided to schools.  She made a plea to parents to ensure they comply with social distancing when dropping off and collecting children from school.

 

Cllr Jeavons thanked City Services’ Refuse Collectors and Wastesavers who have all continued doing their day jobs throughout this pandemic, even during lockdown; he also thanked staff throughout the authority who have all stepped up to the plate.

 

Cllr Harvey reiterated her colleagues’ comments and stated that no other council has better or more dedicated staff than Newport – all of whom have been phenomenal.   

 

Cllr Cockeram applauded Social Workers who face some harrowing situations and acknowledged the working from home is very hard for these people not being able to offload on their emotions to colleagues which is very challenging so we need to mindful of everyone’s mental health and wellbeing.

 

The Leader invited the Chief Executive to speak who confirmed the purpose of the report is to keep this issue in people’s minds and to reflect on the actions being taken by officers on a daily basis as this is a moving feast.  Newport is seeing an increase in cases and the only way to address the issue we are now facing is for everyone to take personal responsibility for their actions.

 

In concluding the Leader thanked all staff, partners and councillors for supporting communities and services and confirmed that further updates on the Council’s progress will be provided at the Cabinet meeting in October.

 

In summary Cabinet was asked to consider the contents of the report and note the progress being made to date, and the risks that are still being faced by the Council.

 

Decision:

 

Cabinet voted and unanimously agreed the report