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Decision details

Approval to establish full-time regional Covid-19 test centre at the Beehive Park and Ride site in Salisbury under Wiltshire Council's emergency powers during the Covid-19 pandemic

Decision Maker: (00) Officer Decision Publishing Group

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

To approve:
The creation of a full-time regional test centre for COVID-19 at the Beehive Park and Ride site in Salisbury from 29th May 2020 until further notice.


Reasons for the decision:

This decision would in other circumstances be taken by Cabinet. However, in circumstances where Cabinet is unable to meet to expedite its functions in a timely manner during the COVID-19 pandemic, this decision is being taken in accordance with the power referred to under background below in consultation with Phillip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council. This decision will be reported to the next meeting of the Gold Command Group.

Wiltshire Council, working in partnership with NHS England; NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group; and the MOD, mobilised a COVID-19 temporary testing centre at the Beehive Park and Ride site in Salisbury from April 2020. With the need to expand the national testing for Covid, the site was identified for a full-time regional test centre, which requires expanding the area to cover the whole of the car park and moving to full-time provision, as from the 29th May 2020 until further notice.

The site will be managed and run by the test centre management without support from the Council. Buildings / toilets and support will be provided by the test centre management without the support of the Council.

I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the following in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution:

Key decision requirements: yes

Views of relevant cabinet member(s), committee chairman, area board(s): yes


Consideration of the area boards and delegated decision checklist for officers on the issue of when and how to involve local councillors and area boards in decisions about local services: yes

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or procedure: yes

Consultation in accordance with requirements and expectations of consultation with the public: not applicable

Range of options available: yes

Staffing, financial and legal implications:yes

Risk assessment: yes

Involvement of statutory officers and/or directors: yes

Regional or national guidance from other bodies: yes

The council’s constitution: yes

This contract is suitable for execution under the e-signature process: not applicable

Alternative options considered:

The Council considered a number of alternative sites, but due to the criteria required for the testing facility or the opportunity to release other areas, the Beehive Park and Ride was the only suitable site.

Currently public transport does not operate from the site or any Park and Rides, but this is only temporary and there are intentions to operate from the Park and Ride from June 2020. Alternative arrangements are in place when public transport returns to their historic provision in Salisbury.

Conflict of Interest: No

Background: As the Director for Highways and Environment and lead for the Excess Deaths cell during the COVID-19 pandemic, I am responsible for any matters relating to excess deaths in the County of Wiltshire on behalf of Wiltshire Council. Pursuant to paragraph 4 of Part 3 Section D, the Directors of Wiltshire Council are empowered to take all necessary decisions in cases of emergency. This decision is being taken by Parvis Khansari using these powers in circumstances where the Director concerned believes that there is a risk of damage to property, a threat to the health or wellbeing of an individual and/or that the interests of the Council may be compromised if this decision is not otherwise taken.

Contact: Parvis Khansari, Corproate Director - Place Email: parvis.khansari@wiltshire.gov.uk Tel: 01225 713340.

Publication date: 02/06/2020

Date of decision: 28/05/2020

Accompanying Documents: