Agenda item

Leader presented the report.  This Cabinet Report was an update on the Council’s and its partners’ 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 and Corporate Plan. 

Covid-19 Update

·      Since the last Cabinet meeting June, Wales started to see the Delta variant emerge as the most dominant strain. 

·      In Newport, cases were being reported to the Test, Trace and Protect service and remained low and contained into small clusters.  The service alongside Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, the Council and other partners were working proactively to support those affected and to break the chain of the virus spreading. 

·      The vaccination programme in Wales delivered by NHS Wales, ABUHB, with the Council’s (Newport Live) support continued to be successful as it progressed towards under 25s receiving their first dose and those receiving their second dose.

·      The vaccination programme delivered in Wales in not just one of the best in the UK but in the world and it was important for those who had not taken up their vaccination to do so as it not only protected the individual but others.

·      The Welsh Government Roadmap was phasing into Alert Level 1 restrictions over this summer period.  This cautious approach was taken due to the emergence of the Delta variant and further understanding required on the impact that this was having on those that received their vaccination and those that had not been vaccinated. 

·      It was important for residents and businesses to continue to adhere to the restrictions as we went through the final stages in the roadmap.

·      As the Welsh Government advised, we would have to learn to live with the virus and would remain vigilant throughout the year. 

·      The Council continued to deliver services whether this was across residential homes, visiting clients, collecting waste or staff working from home. 

·      Schools continued to respond and support pupils where covid cases were reported.

·      Funding was confirmed for the relocation of the Information Station to the Central Museum and Library building. 

·      Newport Live continued to engage and supported young people in Newport working alongside community safety partners. 

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

Comments from Cabinet Members:

§  Councillor Truman briefly referred to the delta variant, which was on the increase and that Environmental Officers and Trading Standards Officers were working jointly with the Police to inspect various public premises to ensure that the right precautions were in place to protect the people of Newport.  In addition, officers we giving out business advice and on some occasions, issuing improvement and closure notices as well as being on hand to provide advice and work on some of the clusters within Newport.  The Cabinet Member supported the advice in Wales that social distancing be continued.

§  Councillor Davies mentioned that the delta variant impacted on young people directly and schools had seen an impact, it was hoped that younger people would be sensible in social distancing to reduce the risk during the summer.  More importantly, free school meals would continue with the council with the provision of supermarket voucher scheme, this supported year 11 and 13 age groups.  The Cabinet Member therefore hoped that parents and carers would take advantage of the scheme because the funding was still in place for families.

§  The Leader was filled with an immense sense of pride because of the support provided by the council to school children within Newport.

§  Councillor Mayer praise the excellent continued support of council staff not only in Newport but within the UK in spite of negative feedback. Staff had stepped up during the pandemic by putting residents first, which was commendable.

Decision:

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