Agenda item

The Leader presented the report, advising colleagues that this was an update on the Council’s and partner’s response to the Covid-19 crisis supporting the City (Residents and Businesses) to comply with the current restrictions and progress in the Council’s Strategic Recovery Aims. 

It was over a year since Newport received its first confirmed case of Covid-19 and the City has been in some form of Covid-19 restrictions.

Due to this, Cabinet and Council over the last year had faced many difficult decisions, seeing many of our loved ones lose their lives and some of our most vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens impacted by the crisis.

The Council had also seen the best in people across Newport going above and beyond to help others in times of crisis and on many occasions the Council and our Partners supported people and businesses across Newport.

In the Council’s response and recovery from this crisis, it endorsed four Strategic Recovery Aims that ensured we could position ourselves to respond to immediate and future needs of our communities and businesses, such as:

·      Strategic Recovery Aim 1 – Supporting Education & Employment;

·      Strategic Recovery Aim 2 – Supporting the Environment and the Economy;

·      Strategic Recovery Aim 3 – Supporting the Health & Wellbeing of Citizens; and

·      Strategic Recovery Aim 4 – Supporting Citizens post Covid-19.

It was now over eleven weeks (20 December 2020) since the Welsh Government put Wales into Alert Level Four restrictions.  The last few months were difficult for us all and impacted on normal ways of life, such as visiting close friends and family, children and young people going to school, collages and University; and non-essential businesses having to close. 

As we moved into spring and the weather improved the Council understood the frustration and willingness of people to get back into normal ways of life.  People were urged however, to keep to the social distancing measures and to comply with the Welsh Government guidance to keep the case rate as low as possible to allow the NHS can recover.

The Leader thanked Newport Live for their contribution, with vaccination centre in the City Centre.

The rollout of the vaccine had seen over 900,000 people receive their first dose and over 40s were already being offered the vaccine. 

The Leader encouraged residents of Newport to take up the vaccine when it was offered and encourage friends and family to do the same to get to normal as soon as possible.

Newport Council and its partners supported schools in seeing the return of foundation children back into schools and remaining primary school children returning back on 15 March.  It was important that all parents and guardians helped their schools by maintaining social distancing rules and to report as soon as possible any potential Covid cases. 

Newport’s economy had seen significant setbacks as businesses closed, residents lost their jobs and/or were on Furlough.  Newport Council and its partners were committed to supporting people to get back into work, to reskill and/or train.  The Council was also committed to supporting the businesses to return as restrictions were eased and encourage everyone in Newport to support their local business.

A recent Estyn report on how local authorities and regional education consortia have supported pupils (most vulnerable) during the crisis was in circulation.  The recommendations raised in the report were already being addressed by the Council and Newport’s schools.

Ongoing economic activity on major projects were progressing well and announcements of Heritage Lottery Funding for the Transporter Bridge was welcomed.

There was also ongoing progress being made with Housing projects and provision of affordable housing across the City.

The Council continued to offer services online and where not possible in line with social distancing restrictions. 

Further updates on the Council’s progress will be provided next month.

Comments from Cabinet Members:

Councillor Davies echoed the key points raised and understood that it was a tremendously difficult time for residents.  The Cabinet Member thanked everyone for adhering to the principles of isolation; working from home during lockdown.  The Cabinet Member wanted to focus on how difficult it was for the economy and that Newport City Council made a huge difference providing help and advice.  The achievement by Newport in relation to strategic recovery aims was very positive, the indoor market project commenced along with the Capital City Region investment, which was progressing.  Newport and Conwy were successfully selected in a recent bid as pilot for an all Wales local area energy plan project to help us look at ways to improve carbon reduction.  The WG aimed to be carbon neutral by 2030 this should therefore be applauded during this difficult time.

Councillor Harvey thanked everyone in Newport who largely abided by the rules during the pandemic.  The Cabinet Member was pleased to remind colleagues of the recent introduction of new electric buses purchased by Newport Transport.  In addition to this, Newport Transport was now a Dementia Friendly Company with the first Dementia Friendly bus in Wales, this was another step in the right direction.  The Cabinet Member was pleased to announce that Newport City Council and its partners were putting all the residents first.

Councillor Truman echoed comments of colleagues and was pleased to see the community spirit shown by Newport residents thrive during the pandemic.  The Cabinet Member thanked environmental officers and trading standards officers for keeping Newport safe.  All Newport staff deserved a pat on the back for their hard work.

Councillor Rahman mentioned that Newport had come a long way as an authority and as a community and the recovery was encouraging.  Newport City Council continued to provide services thanked all council staff risking their lives and their family to keep Newport services running. The Riverfront was busy and full of life, taking advantage of the infrastructure and the active travel routes.   Also mentioned the 143,259 people who had died from the pandemic, which was equivalent to the residents in Newport, which put it into perspective.  Newport acted swiftly to limit impact of the pandemic to our communities.  BAME groups were also vulnerable and swift action limited lives being lost and helped the livelihood of these people with grant money with the help of partners and WG, by comparison to other local councils.  The Cabinet Member thanked the Leader and council officers and urged residents to take up the vaccine if offered.

The Leader highlighted the grants for business provided by the Council who were quick to act, supporting small business and start-ups as well as large businesses.  The Council tried really hard to help those businesses and the guidance and support was still there for these businesses.

Councillor Cockeram referred to Newport Transport and that every bus driver would have a badge on their bus to show that they were dementia friendly and would be receiving a national award for their achievement.  It was hoped that this would have a positive knock on effect other modes of public transport such as taxis.  The Cabinet Member was pleased for Councillor Harvey and Newport Transport board members.

The Leader hoped that all partnerships would be ready to facilitate excellent public transport in light of the UK Government considering investment in the South East Wales corridor.

Councillor Jeavons welcomed the positive news in the report and hoped that more good news would be delivered by WG on Friday at the end of the three-week period.  Thanked all members of staff within council and echoed comments of cabinet members.  The Deputy Leader urged people to proceed with caution to bring infections down.

Councillor Mayer mentioned the role of the community hubs who had provided wonderful support from day one, delivering food packages.  They would have also matured enormously as a service for the council and would enhance public provision in the future.

The Leader added that in her role as Leader she had met almost daily since the pandemic with officers and colleagues.  No one was immune to the dreadful disease and some of us had been touched by this pandemic in one way or another, without a proper opportunity to say goodbye, which was difficult.  With this in mind, the Leader advised that the council would be lighting up the Civic Tower, in yellow, on 23 March for a national day of reflection, which was right and proper to reflect on our losses during this period.

Decision:

That Cabinet was asked to consider the contents of the report and noted the progress being made to date the risks that were still faced by the Council.