Issue - meetings

This item includes a supplementary report. 

That the report be noted and the work being undertaken in response to the Coronavirus restrictions be endorsed.

Cabinet considered a report on actions being taken across the Council in response to Coronavirus restrictions and to ensure the Borough was well placed to recover from the Pandemic.

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg, introduced the report and updated that the current rate of infections across the Borough was now slightly lower than the figures in the report.  There were currently 2 vaccination centres in the Borough with more planned.

The report outlined that the Council was maintaining its focus on support for businesses and support for vulnerable people.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor Stephen Sweeney, outlined how the Council had paid out £4.5m the previous week to eligible businesses in the Leisure, Retail and Hospitality sectors using Government grant funding. 

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing, Councillor Helena Maxfield, outlined support for vulnerable people with three lines of work continuing to have priority – support provided by Realise Foundation to those made vulnerable by the restrictions; payments for those required to self-isolate but who would lose income by so doing; and support for those sleeping rough or at risk of being made homeless.  Additional accommodation was now available in St George’s Chambers for use in severe weather. 

In relation to other Council services the Waste and Recycling Service was continuing on track with crews working at weekends over the Christmas period to ensure the service could be maintained.  Councillor Johnson, Portfolio Holder for Waste and Recycling, had also been in touch with the County Council regarding ensuring grit bins were kept topped up.

J2 was now closed but classes being delivered online.  The Brampton Museum was also closed and works to build the extension would commence shortly.  The initial works for the redevelopment of Kidsgrove Leisure Centre had commenced.

In relation to economic recovery, the report outlined the successful bid under the Future High Streets Fund with provisional agreement of funding of just over £11m towards regeneration of Newcastle town centre and specific focus on the Ryecroft site.  The Council had also secured Advance Town Deal funding for Newcastle and Kidsgrove and the Town Investment Plan for Kidsgrove had been submitted to the Government. 

Resolved: That the report be noted and the work being undertaken in response to the Coronavirus restrictions be endorsed.