Agenda item

To consider a report setting out how work will be taken forward within the Authority and across the Borough to move from the Covid-19 crisis response phase to the recovery phase. 

Cabinet received a report setting out how work would be taken forward within the Authority and across the Borough to move from the Covid-19 crisis response phase to the recovery phase.

In introducing the report, the Elected Mayor also invited each Cabinet Member to speak on the recovery in respect of their individual portfolio area.

In drawing up this framework for recovery, the Authority’s planning assumptions for the recovery phase were as set out below. In line with the Government’s Covid-19 Recovery Strategy:

•           the Authority must adapt to live with the virus in the community for the foreseeable future;

•           any further easements to lockdown and the restart of businesses and services set by Government would be very gradual and on a phased basis;

•           the “test, track and trace” arrangements would slow the spread of the virus and the Authority would work with partners on local outbreak control measures;

•           shielding for the most medically critically vulnerable would remain for some time and the Authority would need to retain its support arrangements for those people;

•           the Authority would see a changing nature of demand for some services such as Adult Social Care;

•           social distancing and good respiratory hygiene would be key to manage the spread of infection and all workplaces, schools and other education facilities, retail settings and public spaces would need to be Covid-Secure;

•           PPE would still be required where appropriate and the Authority would follow and promote Government guidance on its use such as the use of face coverings on public transport and in some other settings;

•           there would be a significant financial impact for the Authority;

•           the economic impact across the Borough as a whole would be substantial – nationally the forecast was for 14% GDP down this year and 15% GDP up next.

It was still relatively early to be able to fully assess the impact that the pandemic had had and continued to have across North Tyneside, but just like all other areas across the UK, it already looked and felt very different as a place. This would continue to be the case as the Borough adapted to live with the virus such as by re-shaping public spaces to ensure that they were Covid-Secure and safe for people to get around or spend time and for businesses to operate.  Schools and other education facilities in North Tyneside were adapting so that they could gradually get back to places where more children, young people and others could safely attend.

The pandemic was creating a profound economic and social shock that would not be straightforward or quick to recover from.  Local government had a key role to play in that, working with all other key partners.  Economically the crisis would shift patterns of investment, activity and consumption and it would be important not to assume that things would either be able to, or be desired to, revert back to the pre-pandemic situation.  The social impact was also great with differential impacts on different groups of people in the Borough from a health and social inequalities point of view.  It was likely that the pandemic would have exacerbated already existing inequalities across the Borough and in relation to the numbers of people living in poverty.  In addition, the health impact went way beyond those directly impacted by having the virus including mental health and well-being.

In line with the Our North Tyneside Plan, the recovery framework for North Tyneside was designed to meet the clear set of strategic objectives as set out in the report.

The Authority’s approach to recovery for North Tyneside was a long-term one, starting with three distinct phases: immediate ‘restart’ (June-September 2020); medium ‘transition’ (October 2020-March 2021); and long term ‘rebuild and grow’ (April-July 2021)

The recovery activity would be overseen by Cabinet through both individual lead Cabinet Member oversight of the activity workstreams (Our People; Our Places; Our Economy; Our Organisation) as well as written weekly progress reports to Cabinet on an informal basis and quarterly progress reports into full Cabinet meetings.  Cabinet would provide written weekly progress updates to all Elected Members and progress reports would also be provided through the programme of Member Briefings.

At an Officer level, the activity was overseen by the Recovery Co-ordinating Group (co-chaired by the Head of Environment, Housing and Leisure and the Head of Corporate Strategy and Customer Service).  This Group reported into the Authority’s Senior Leadership Team.

In addition, the Chairs of Overview, Scrutiny, and Policy Development Committee, and the associated Sub-Committees, were meeting to consider a revised work programme of topics, intended to compliment the themes set out in the plan in order to provide maximum benefit for the Authority.  As part of this, each Chair would be encouraged to discuss any proposed topic with their respective Head of Service, ensuring full coverage of all recovery activities.  It was anticipated that Committee and Sub-Committee scrutiny activity would commence in July.

The Elected Mayor thanked everyone involved for their efforts during the current crisis and for their continued support during the recovery phases.

Cabinet considered the following decision options: to accept the recommendation as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report, or alternatively, to not approve the recommendations.

Resolved that the proposed framework for Covid-19 Recovery in North Tyneside be agreed.

(Reason for decision: This would allow a comprehensive and structured approach to recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, in line with relevant Government guidance and plans as well as clear governance arrangements to ensure transparency and accountability.)