O&S
95
The Committee was
presented with a report that summarised the work undertaken by the
Council in delivering a highly effective response to the challenges
of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In addition,
the report also outlined some initial thoughts with regard to the
challenges that the Council would face and provide an initial
opportunity for Members to input to the way forward.
At this point, the Chairman informed that it
was her intention for the meeting to first consider the Response
element of the agenda item before then providing some initial
thoughts on the draft Renewal and Recovery Plan.
(a)
Response
In the ensuing debate, the following points were
raised:
(i)
A number of Members commended the work of the
Community Response Team that had been formed in response to the
Pandemic. Members found the initiative
to have been very useful and a model that could be adapted in the
draft Renewal and Recovery Plan, with town and parish council
representatives also becoming involved.
In respect of the relationship between town and
parish councils and the Borough Council, it was acknowledged that
this had been varied during the Pandemic. In such instances, it was recognised that local
Ward Members had a key role to play in ensuring that all town and
parish councils were engaged with the Borough Council;
(ii)
With regard to the £69,000 that had been
secured from Devon County Council (DCC) towards the provision of
emergency financial assistance to residents, officers committed to
circulating a copy of the DCC Policy that set out the criteria for
funding to be allocated;
(iii)
A Member referred back to the earlier request for
the Committee to receive an update on Rural Broadband provision
(Minute *O&S 94 above refers) and emphasised the importance of
good connectivity (e.g. mobile phone signal and Broadband
provision) during these difficult times;
(iv)
A number of tributes were paid to the work of the
Council and its officers and Members during the
Pandemic. Several examples of officers
and Members going the extra mile to maintain service delivery were
highlighted to the meeting and particular credit was paid to those
officers who had been involved in the payment of Discretionary
Grants to local businesses;
(v)
By way of an update, it was noted that an all Member
Leisure Briefing was to be held at the Informal Council session to
be held on 1 June 2020;
(vi)
The meeting was informed that the Council operated a
very flexible way of working and those staff with school aged
children could use the flexitime scheme to help manage their caring
responsibilities during the school holidays;
(vii) The Section
151 Officer provided an update on the financial position
and made specific reference to:
a.
the decision-making cycle for an amended Budget for
2020/21. Members were informed of the
intention for a draft Budget setting Workshop to be held during
August, before a draft amended Budget was then considered
by:
§
the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting to he
held ...
view the full minutes text for item *O&S 95