Agenda item

The Leader mentioned to her colleagues that in the last couple of weeks, there was the emergence of the Omicron variant in Wales and across the United Kingdom.

The number of positive cases for the new variant was lower than those in England and Scotland but it was only a matter of time before we saw further increases and cases being reported in Newport.

This period was a time for many people in Newport to get together with friends, work colleagues and families to celebrate over this festive period.  Especially after the very tough year that we have had.  It was also important to remember that restrictions remained in place: wearing face coverings in shops, public transport and other public venues, maintaining social distancing, and covid passes when socialising in venues across Newport.

Consideration should be given to those who were vulnerable in Newport and more at risk to Covid.  The health and social care system was being stretched further and further as we were seeing more demand on these services.

The message over this festive period was for people to think sensibly about their actions and of other when socialising with friends and family; taking regular covid testing, and self-isolating if tested positive for covid.

Finally, it was also important for people to take up the booster when they received their letter from the NHS or, for those who were not vaccinated, to do so as protected you and others around you.

The Council front line services were continuing to operate and where possible staff were continuing to work from home in line with the Welsh Government’s advice.  This also continued for elected members in the Council with democratic functions continuing to be undertaken virtually.
 

The New Normal Cabinet Report presented today outlined the future approach that the Council would deliver to modernise services built on the benefits that have been shown through Council services and staff working flexibly in the last two years.

In November, the Welsh Government announced a £51 million support package for our most vulnerable and disadvantaged residents across Wales with each eligible household able to claim £100 to support winter fuel payments.  Letters were sent to all households in receipt of Council Tax Reduction on how to apply online but also through other methods if they did not have access to a computer or digital device.  It was important for households eligible to take up this offer and to also share this message with their neighbours, families and friends who may also be eligible.    

Throughout the Autumn term, Education services and schools continued to operate as normal despite the challenges faced by schools with Covid cases. Education Services and schools were collaborating, monitoring attendance and following Welsh Government guidance ensuring the most vulnerable pupils and parents were supported and encouraged to attend.

Rates of pupil attendance during the Autumn Term were monitored closely by schools, the Education Welfare Service and Welsh Government. This highlighted lower than expected rates of attendance for September and October 2021.

Whilst there was no expectation on schools to set attendance targets or report attendance data for national purposes, it was essential that schools keep an accurate record of pupil attendance for monitoring and evaluation purposes. Schools have been asked to set their own internal targets for attendance and share these with the Education Welfare Service to help direct the work of the Education Welfare Officers.  Monthly attendance data for each school is collected, analysed and tracked against the previous academic year. This data was then circulated to all schools on a monthly basis. It was essential that pupils maintain the habit of attending school regularly and punctually. The Welsh Government expected schools to engage pupils who were not attending on a regular basis and establish contact with their families. It was recognised that parents may need additional reassurances that schools were safe places for their children to attend. Where schools were unsuccessful engaging parents, or where continued absences were unauthorised, schools may refer the pupil and their family to the Education Welfare Service for follow up.

In November 2021, Education Welfare Officers attended 75 school meetings and received 93 referrals in relation to the persistent absence of individual pupils. An attendance referral was followed up either by phone or email contact with a parent or by a home visit. In November 2021, Education Welfare Officers completed 189 home visits. In 109 of these, Education Welfare Officers engaged with parents and pupils to discuss the reasons for non-attendance with the main reasons given for persistent absence this academic year to date being:

Covid 19 positive cases

Covid 19 self-isolation

Covid 19 anxiety

Other illnesses

Mental health issues related to the child or their family

Family holiday during term time

Major developments in the City Centre such as the new hotel and Market Arcade are on schedule to open in the New Year and would provide new opportunities for the city and residents following a very challenging time for businesses. 

The Council was pleased to accept the award for the most outstanding organisation at the national Environmental awards last month.  This award recognised the progress the Council made towards its goal of being net zero carbon neutral by 2030.

Alongside this award, the Council passed a motion declaring an ecological and climate emergency for the City of Newport.  This recognised the work the Council, its partners, residents and businesses had to do to decarbonise.  This was why it was important for people to contribute towards our consultation on our Climate Change Plan that would be launched next year.

The Council was also pleased to see the completion of the Active Travel route in Lliswerry improving cycle and pedestrian access in the area. 

Partnership working between the Council, the Police and other partners helped to steer young people away from criminality and anti-social behaviour offering alternative activities and safeguarding support.

This month the Council launched its new Participatory Budget alongside Aneurin Bevan Health Board to support local groups and initiatives to improve their areas and support the communities that lived in those areas.  This approach empowered residents to decide on which projects would receive the funding to deliver their projects and provide opportunities for communities to improve the lives and experiences of those around them. 

Comments from Cabinet Members:

·        Councillor Davies wanted focus on the strategic recovery in relation to the attendance levels in schools and the continued approach was a supportive one for families as attendance was low.  Schools were the hubs of local communities and schools were providing family support workers through grant funding to support these families as we moved through crisis.  This was also putting pressure on staff and the Cabinet Member commended staff for their hard work and focus they had on school children.  All the educational staff, including officers, teachers, education welfare worked deserved the coming Christmas break and would be ready and focussed for the new term, and what faced them as a result of the new variant.

·        Councillor Truman reiterated the need to be careful during Christmas around loved ones and listen to advice from the health experts.  In addition, the NHS had worked very hard and should be commended.  The booster roll out programme was doing really well in Wales, with the NHS staff rising to the challenge.

·        Councillor Harvey echoed and supported her colleagues’ comments.  The Cabinet Member advised members that she was vulnerable as well as family and they were all isolating to have the one day together.  Putting a mask on and regularly sanitising hands to meet family was very important. Education Services were phenomenal adding that the extra work carried out as a result of the pandemic by all Council employees was not on their Job Descriptions before this happened and they rose to the occasion.  Councillor Harvey also agreed with Councillor Truman on his comments regarding the NHS. Councillor Harvey finally gave special thanks to Councillor S Marshall who was giving boosters to people with the Welsh Ambulance and encouraged everyone to receive their booster.

Decision:

Cabinet considered and noted the contents of the report and for Cabinet / Cabinet Members to receive updates from officers as part of their portfolio.