Agenda item

The Leader presented the report, which 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. 

Since the last Cabinet meeting in October, case rates for Newport and other areas in Wales remained very high as restrictions were eased allowing people to socialise more and undertake more normal routines.

It remained, however, important for people to continue to adhere to the Welsh Government guidelines wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing (where possible) and being aware of people whether that was friends or family, that there were still vulnerable people who were susceptible to the virus.

Hospitals in Newport and Gwent were continuing to see people being treated for Covid and while the numbers were not as high as those experienced during the last winter, they remained significant enough to impact on other NHS services. To reiterate the Welsh Government’s position, additional restrictions could be reimposed if the NHS and new variants of concern emerged. 

For people over 50 and the most vulnerable, boosters were being offered as well as the seasonal flu jab.

12 to 15 year olds were also being offered to receive the vaccination.  It remained very important for residents to take up these offers and for those still unvaccinated in the other age groups, they too could still receive the vaccine.   

Front line services still continued to be delivered and the Council has continued to follow the Welsh Government’s advice for staff (where they can) to continue to work from home.  This equally applied to Members and access to the Civic Centre and democratic functions would continue to be undertaken virtually.

The Council has also been finalising the technology requirements and the necessary protocols for hybrid meetings to take place in the Council.

Attendance rates across school settings were low due to Covid outbreaks.  School catering services were reporting issues with supply chains to obtain food products. Schools across Newport were experiencing high levels of pupil absence due to Covid. 

The Council’s school meals provider reported challenges within supply chains and were experiencing difficulties obtaining certain food products and catering equipment. 

Social services (Adults and Children) were also experiencing higher levels of demand and staff shortages. 

The Council has been promoting and supporting organisations with employment opportunities in hospitality and HGV and carers, as well as supporting several job fairs in the City.  Work on supporting businesses in their recovery also continued and housing development programmes and were continuing to be delivered. 

Comments from Cabinet Members:

Councillor Davies referred to the Covid impact on education since the beginning of October when numbers were rising. There was a recent closure of a year group in Llanwern, fortunately there was technical support in place to provide blended learning.  The Cabinet Member thanked teachers who worked so hard over the past weeks to ensure that lessons were still taking place as well as their looking after pupils’ wellbeing.  The school staff had provided an excellent calm atmosphere for children in the schools.  Credit should therefore be given to all staff within Education Services.

Councillor Truman pointed out since last report, restrictions had reduced and contract tracing was concentrating on closed care settings such as schools, and enforcement officers were giving advice and assistance to hospitality settings.  The Newport Centre vaccination facility was excellent and compliments had been received regarding NHS staff was very positive as they were doing outstanding work.

Leader thanked Councillor Truman and stressed that it was important to highlight work of partners such as Newport Live.

Decision:

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