Agenda item

Officer: Rachel Flowers

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

RESOLVED: To note the report and the activities of the Council working with partners to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 across Croydon.

The Leader of the Council informed Members that he had attended a meeting with the leaders of London councils and the Mayor of London earlier that evening in response to the R rate increasing. It was stated that it was important that everyone acted now to slow the increase in transmission, and as such it was anticipated that there would be further announcements from the Prime Minister on restrictions the following evening.

The Director for Public Health confirmed that the picture was rapidly changing and that Covid-19 was once again on the rise across the country. It was stressed that there were six top tips to stopping the spread of the virus: adhering to the Rule of Six, wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly, keeping your distance, checking your symptoms and getting a test and isolating where necessary and encouraging friends and family to also follow the guidance. It was noted that there were challenges in relation to tests so the Director of Public Health stressed that tests should only be booked if the person has symptoms. The Interim Chief Executive reiterated that if everyone followed the advice then the spread of the virus could be slowed. Members were further informed that local government was being given a new responsibility which was to provide funding for those financially impacted by having to self-isolate.

The Cabinet Member for Families, Health & Social Care welcomed the Winter Plan which included over £500m of support for councils during the period. It was recognised that there would be a new responsibility for local councils in terms of street marshals, however further details in relation to this were due. The Cabinet Member assured Members that the council was meeting regularly with care homes and was ensuring appropriate PPE was available.

Concerns were raised that elderly residents were at risk and it was important that the council ensured the most vulnerable were protected. In response, the Leader stressed the importance of testing, especially in hospital discharges, to stop virus outbreaks in care homes.

The Executive Director of Health, Wellbeing & Adults shared his condolences with all those who had been impacted by Covid-19 and recognised that many residents were anxious of the impact of the virus spreading. In response to concerns raised in relation to care homes, the Executive Director stated the council had a good relationship with all care setting providers and the CQC, and all were working together to protect the most vulnerable residents. Unlike at the start of the first wave, Members were assured that there was sufficient PPE and that excellent infection control measures were in place. It was noted by the Executive Director that whilst there was a high number of care homes in the borough, the borough was not listed as an at risk borough, however Members were encouraged to share any intelligence and concerns with chief officers so it could be investigated.

In response to questions, the Cabinet Member for Economy & Jobs informed Cabinet that 90% of businesses had reopened and the council had been supporting local businesses throughout this period. It was noted that the Discretionary Grants programme had been a lifeline for most businesses and that the third tranche had been announced by the government. During this period, the council had also been lobbying the government to introduce more flexibility into the Kick Start programme to support SMEs to create job opportunities for young people.

The Cabinet Member for Families, Health & Social Care responded to concerns in relation to the Liquid Logic contract and advised Members that this IT programme would complement localities work and provide savings in the future. It was stated that spending on IT projects had not put residents at risk and instead enabled improved support to care homes.

The Director of Public Health confirmed that a test centre had opened in New Addington which was the Croydon testing site. She stressed that tests should only be booked when a person had symptoms so as to manage the demand for tests. Whilst it was recognised that Croydon had done well to reduce the number of cases so significantly, it was important that everyone worked together and lived by the six priorities: adhering to the Rule of Six, wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly, keeping your distance, checking your symptoms and getting a test and isolating where necessary and encouraging friends and family to also follow the guidance.

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decision:

RESOLVED: To note the report and the activities of the Council working with partners to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 across Croydon.