Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Richard Clewer, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Corporate Services, Heritage, Arts & Tourism, Housing and Communities introduced the report which provided a summary of the key activities to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus in Wiltshire since the last update to Cabinet in January 2021.

Cllr Clewer explained that since the last report the country has been placed into a third national lockdown. Mass vaccination programmes commenced from 7 December 2020, with local vaccination centres opening on 16 December 2020 in Wiltshire. Cllr Clewer referred to Appendix 2 of the report which highlighted in particular the work of the Highways Service.

The Chief Executive explained that the Council has moved fully into response resulting in some of Wiltshire’s multi-agency long term recovery work being temporarily paused. He highlighted that new vaccination hubs have opened throughout January 2021 and support for businesses, vulnerable groups, care homes and educational settings continues. Significant developments since the last report were summarised in appendix 1 under the following areas:

·       Test and Trace

·       Community mass testing

·       Mass vaccinations

·       Outbreak management

·       Public Health support to Schools & Educational settings

·       Community spaces and engagement

·       Wellbeing Hub

·       Care Homes

·       Health and Care

·       Education

·       Economy

·       Safe Spaces

·       Wiltshire Highways achievements during COVID-19

·       Organisational Recovery

Cllr Clewer thanked officers for their continued hard work and resilience during this difficult and testing time.

Cllr Graham Wright, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, reported that the Committee met on 26 January 2021 to consider the Cabinet report. Robust Scrutiny was undertaken, and the Committee were satisfied with the updates and responses to questions received and supported the proposals in the report.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, echoed the comments of others paying tribute to officers across all services. In particular he paid tribute to the waste and recycling collection service officers.   In response to comments about students ability to access the internet for live teaching sessions, officers explained that live teaching was just one method employed by schools and many schools were now providing a hybrid/blended solution which included a variety of methods to teach students.

In response to questions, comments and issues raised by Councillors, officers explained the following:

• Community testing using rapid lateral flow devices helps to identify those people who are infectious but asymptomatic and unaware they may be spreading the disease. This helps trace their contacts, support them to isolate and prevent transmission to others.
• National guidance gives priority to Groups 1-4 as identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. The Council is working with CIL to identify Carers and personal assistants and the appropriate category.

Resolved:

1.    Continue to encourage all residents to download the NHS Test and Trace app on their phone.

2.    Encourage all residents to answer a call received from 0300 456 0100 as it may be the local contact tracing team within the Council

3.    Continue to encourage all residents to follow national guidance

4.    Continue to encourage residents who have received a vaccination to continue to follow national guidance

5.    To note the work underway to support response activities

Reason for Decision:

Wiltshire Council continues to work closely with partners to deliver in a rapidly

changing environment.