Agenda item

That the report be noted and the work being undertaken to recover from the pandemic be endorsed.

Cabinet considered a report on actions being taken across the Council to recover from the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

The Leader noted that the Borough was currently in Tier 1.  He explained that a letter had been sent to businesses and a separate letter was to go out to households thanking them for the sacrifices made so far in response to the pandemic and reminding them of the need to continue following the rules to keep the virus under control.

He is a member of the County Council’s Local Outbreak Board which was now meeting weekly.  Councillor Sweeney as Deputy Leader is chair of the Multi Agency Board which was particularly focusing on young people due to the number of students recently arrived in the Borough.  Councillor Sweeney advised that the Multi Agency Board included representatives of the Students’ Union as well as Borough and County Council representation and the Police. 

The Leader commended the work of the Environmental Health Team in ensuring local hospitality venues operated with Covid safety measures.  There had also been Government funding used to provide Covid Marshalls in the Borough using a low level approach. 

The written report outlined the 5 areas of the Recovery Plan:

Reopening Safe, Successful Retail Centres

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor Stephen Sweeney, outlined that the Castle Artisan Market was to take place on Sunday 18^th October and all stalls were now fully booked.  The Leader also noted that there was free parking on Sundays in the Council car parks.  Councillor Maxfield reported on increased footfall in Kidsgrove showing good support for local businesses.

Supporting Health and Wellbeing

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing, Councillor Helena Maxfield, reported that there were currently 19 people in emergency accommodation and further information on the services for homelessness would be outlined later in the meeting.

Economic Recovery

The Leader referred to the major regeneration and growth schemes as set out in the report.  The two Town Investment Plans for Kidsgrove and Newcastle were scheduled for submission to the Government – this would be October for the Kidsgrove Plan with the Newcastle Plan targeted for submission in January. The latest unemployment figures showed the Borough as being slightly below the Staffordshire average.  The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth, Councillor Northcott, reported on work with the Skills and Training Group to manage the employment situation including skills matching; part of the funding through the Advanced Town Deals would be used for a Training and Skills Enterprise Centre. 

Stepping-up Council Services                                      

A number of services had reopened including J2 and the Brampton Museum.  Councillor Sweeney reported that the backlog with taxi licensing was being cleared and should be up to date in a few months.  Councillor Northcott noted the important work of the food hygiene inspection service as more restaurants and pubs reopened.  The Environmental Health Team had increased workload and responsibilities which was kept under review by Executive Management Team and Cabinet.

Financial Recovery

Councillor Sweeney referred to the additional funding received from Government amounting to £1.743 to date.  There was also funding for income losses after the first 5% at the rate of 75p in the pound.  Councillor Northcott referred to business rates and that there were currently low numbers of vacancies in business units. 

Members expressed thanks to officers of the Council for their hard work during the ongoing pandemic. 

Resolved: that the report be noted and the work being undertaken to recover from the pandemic be endorsed.