Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report reviewing the Environmental Health Service’s additional workload as a result of Covid 19.  The Chair stated that the Council needed to be sure that everything was being done to ensure that the Department was supported.

The Council’s Head of Environmental Health Services, Nesta Barker referred Members to Section 2 of the report which outlined the areas of work and  changes that were made due to Covid 19.

Officers who were unable to do their usual work had assisted with Covid work or had helped in other areas of the Service.

Nuisance complaints had increased, possibly due to the increase in the daytime occupation of homes.  The complaints had included noise and bonfires.

The pandemic had brought about new legal requirements such as ensuring that businesses were closed during the lockdown period and dealing with those that were still open.  In addition, there was a requirement to advise businesses on their safe reopening and dealing with any non-compliances.

Members’ attention was also drawn to paragraph 8 of the report which outlined the financial and resource implications associated with Covid 19.

A lot of the programmed work had to be set aside to deal with Covid issues.  This would now be reintroduced and could highlight difficulties in resources as the pandemic continues.

The Chair referred to paragraph 8.1 of the report which stated that additional staffing resource had been secured and funding streams were being used.  The Chair asked what those funding streams were.

Nesta Barker advised that £50,000 had been received from the County Council towards this, which was a first instalment.  It had originally been estimated that Covid 19 would equate to one Environmental Health Officer over a twelve month period but it was actually coming in peaks and troughs.

The Chair asked, with cases increasing, what resilience was there within the Department to ensure that all legislative requirements could be met.

Nesta Barker advised that it was down to prioritisation and any officer who could deal with any issues, would.  In addition, all District Councils in Staffordshire had a mutual agreement to help each other out as and when required.

Councillor Rout stated that she could see how much work the team were doing and asked if anything was being done to support them.

Nesta Barker stated that they were looking out for their teams who were being encouraged to take leave to ensure that people were taking a break.  Work was being divided out and there were a number of support mechanisms in place.

Councillor Panter referred to paragraph 2.8 of the report – monitoring of air quality and asked, what disruption there had been due to Covid 19.

Nesta Barker advised that air quality had been monitored for two months during the pandemic and there had been a reduction in Nitrogen Dioxide and was currently at 90% of what it was before lockdown.  Regarding the Air Quality Project, there would be a number of forecasts up to 2023 and an update on this would be given at the next Scrutiny Committee meeting.

The Chair asked if anything needed to be brought to the Committee’s attention.

Nesta Barker stated that everyone had been very supportive and, if Covid 19 continues, she would have to look at how to deal with the routine work and how it was prioritised and delivered in order to get back to a new normal.

Resolved:     That the information be received and the comments noted.