To consider an update from the Chief Executive and relevant Portfolio Holders on the Council’s actions in relation to the impact of the Corona Virus. Along with verbal updates at the meeting, a Cabinet paper provided by the Chief Executive on this matter will inform this discussion. The Cabinet report will be published on Friday 5 June 2020 and available to view at the following link:
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=285&MId=4290&Ver=4
The following councillors are invited, along with relevant officers, to attend for this item and provide updates in relation to their service areas:
· Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of the Council
· Councillor Sandra Moore, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families
· Councillor Lesley Dedman, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health
The Chairmen of the other Overview and Scrutiny Committees of the Council are also invited to attend and participate in this item.
Minutes:
The Chairman reminded the Board that for this item they were also asked to consider the Cabinet report on Update on BCP Council's response to the COVID-19 pandemic a copy of which had been circulated and which appears as Appendix A to the Cabinet minutes of 27 May 2020 in the Minute Book.
Overview – The Leader of the Council provided an update to the Board since its last meeting. Several hundred of those redeployed during the outbreak were moving back into their normal roles. However, there were still many employees who were unable to return to their normal roles de to shielding. For example, due to the demographic employed in the area the numbers in parking enforcement were significantly reduced. There was likely to be an impact on staff redeployed to the Community Resilience Hub. The Leader noted that the public response had previously shown a high level of compliance and there was clarity on the rules in place. However, there had been a recent shift in the way that people had been complying and misperception on what constituted a rule or guideline and whether these were enforceable. Queries were raised by the Board on the level of visitors during half term and a noticeable change in public behaviour. The Seafront was operating with 20-25 percent of normal staffing levels which was not helped by the large numbers travelling to the area. The Board was advised that each local authority was required o submit a local outbreak plan by the end of June. Funding had been provided for this and it would be completed soon.
Signage had been placed in town centres to encourage social distancing with queuing systems in place. Work had also taken place with media partners to project the message ‘staying local, shopping local’.
The Chief Executive advised that the Council was rethinking business as usual and a Full Council meeting had taken place. Other committees and functions were also gradually being stepped up. The Chief Executive also advised that he had been asked to help the Local Government Association. I was noted that the local outbreak management plans would be used to target different infection rates and risks.
A Councillor raised a concern regarding the clarity of the government guidelines issued and asked if BCP Council had made representations to central government on this issue. It was noted that there had been an ongoing dialogue with central government whenever possible both as an individual Council and with partners. The Leader noted that the most recent representations made to government with regards to the distance people were travelling to visit the beach had not been supported by the local MPs who felt that things needed to get back to normal. The Council would continue to make representations on any new guidance issued as it was felt appropriate.
The Board raised the issue of the large numbers visiting the beach. The Leader advised that the Council had received no notice of the change in lockdown rules so there was no time available to make additional preparations. Staff had tried to deal with the situation as far as possible, but a number of visitors disregarded the guidelines and neither the Council or police had powers to enforce them. In response to a query about the involvement of Ward Councillors on beachfront management the Leader advised that the operational running of the beach was not a matter for ward Councillors. The Corporate Incident Management Team would look at where additional funds were required to address any issues. A Board member commented that residents in their ward had been significantly affected by the inconsiderate parking with people unable to access their homes. The Leader advised that the impact on residents was extremely important which was why support from local MPs was sought on this issue. It was noted that all additional measures included increased fines and towing were looked in to but it was not possible for the Council to use these. However, they would be looked into in a review for future
The Board also raised concerns regarding the statue of Robert Baden Powell. It was noted that the removal would only ever be temporary. Queries were also raised about the impact on cultural events and shows going ahead whilst maintaining social distancing, in particular with reference to the Arts by the Sea Festival. Under the current guidelines these activities would be difficult, and the Portfolio Holder would look into these issues as guidelines were changed.
Councillors asked about the furlough of 500 staff. It was noted that staff directly funded through Council Tax could not be furloughed. The staff furloughed mainly worked for Two Rivers Meet Leisure Centre and schools. It was not possible to redeploy staff to Beachfront Services. CIMT took the decision to pay furlough at 100 percent as it was felt that this was most appropriate to move the situation forward quickly.
In response to a question it was confirmed that at present the July and August cycling restrictions on the prom would be in place.
It was suggested by a Board member that the Council could have redeployed staff to parking enforcement, wearing uniforms as a deterrent even if they did not have the power to issue tickets as there were large areas of the cliff top without a parking enforcement officer present. In response I was noted hat tickets had been issued across the whole area and staff had worked hard under difficult circumstances. Furthermore, there had been similar issues over the past several summers at the busiest times.
Public Health – The Deputy Director of Public Health advised the Board of the most recent data on Covid-19. It was noted that the national death and case rate were coming down dramatically. The South West region had been less affected throughout the epidemic and the BCP area had one of the lowest rates of infection and had been relatively unaffected prior to lockdown. However, there had been he impacts on health services. The Board heard an update on the track and trace system and how this had been working since its implementation. Case numbers were low but public health were mindful of the potential impact on the lifting of restrictions and the dates that this came into effect. It was noted that in the last five days there had been 8 positive cases recorded within BCP.
In response to a question regarding a downward trend in case numbers the Deputy Director noted that numbers in the area were low and continued to be low, it was therefore difficult to draw conclusions. Any small increase in numbers would therefore look dramatic. At a local level there were only 1 or 2 new cases reported a day.
A Board member asked what proactive measures could be taken to minimise an impact of a local outbreak. Public Health England was looking to identify areas which may be particularly vulnerable to this. There was strong multi-agency working with agreed protocols for settings such as prisons, schools or care homes. There was also better understanding of what a pattern of infection looked like and that there was good access to information and health services.
The Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care O&S Committee asked about the access to testing and if there were any barriers. All hospital admissions were now being tested. The Creekmore testing site was up and running along with home testing for symptomatic people. It was noted that initial access to testing was online but there was also now a standard phoneline in place, thanks to lobbying through the LGA and local authorities. There was also new testing available for care home residents and staff who were not showing symptoms.
A Councillor advised that vulnerable individuals wanted to go back out into the environment and whether we were doing anything to allow them access to PPE. Other vulnerable people did not have access to information on the changing situation and were currently shielding in their own homes. The guidance for those clinically seriously at risk were still being advised to continue shielding. However, for others who were vulnerable it was important get a consistent message to them and provide support. This was an ongoing piece of work and was increasingly important.
Children’s Services – The Portfolio Holder for Children and families advised the Board of the changes within her portfolio since she last reported to the O&S Board. There were high levels of visiting taking place for children in care and for children with a child protection plan, along with those identified as a child in need. Children’s Social Care had received an increase in the number of referrals. It was noted that referrals were often linked to an increase in domestic violence due to higher levels of tension and stress within the home. However levels of alcohol misuse had decreased. There was a notable impact on adult mental health having an effect on children within the home.
The Board was advised of a further increase in the numbers of vulnerable children attending school. It was noted hat 43 percent of children with a child protection plan were now attending school, 48 percent of under 5s on a child protection plan attended an early-years setting. Of those with EHCPs 19 percent of those eligible were attending school and 23 percent attended an early-years setting. A new return home interview service started in May along with training for addressing vulnerable children who go missing.
Schools had also recently reopened for reception year, year 1 and year 6 and here were between 27 percent and 38 percent attending over the different year groups. The expanded offer for years 10 and 12 was also due to begin from this week. It was noted that teaching in bubbles was more resource intensive. Early years settings were also reopening and had been provided with a starter pack of PPE. The Government had still to issue guidance for provision during the summer holidays including catch up classes. However, a number of schools locally with parents on what they wanted to see provided. A total of 850 laptops had been delivered and would be distributed along with 4G provision. However, more were needed for all disadvantage year 10 children. It was also noted that test and trace guidance had been provided to schools.
The Chairman for the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Board advised that there was a Committee meeting scheduled for 30 June asked about the capacity of the Children’s Services workforce to undertake reviews of plans. It was noted that these were planned pieces of work and capacity for this had been planned the Service was looking at how to maintain resilience if there was an increase in the number of cases.
It was asked whether the increase school provision would help or hinder with getting more vulnerable young people into school. It was felt that more children returning would help as it would remove any stigma.
The Board was advised that young people wanted to see more consistency with the provision from different schools, there was also concerns raised about those shielding and vulnerable family Members when starting school and the provision and difficulties of using public transport.
A Board member noted that with the schools closed we were in a vulnerable situation and there was concern regarding the emotional health and wellbeing. It was noted that the schools provided a universal service they needed the Council’s support.
Adult Social Care - The Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care noted that there was a joint Health Scrutiny Committee due to take place with Dorset shortly and the BCP Health and Adult Social care Overview and Scrutiny Panel would be back in July. The Board was advised that between the 29 May and the 5 June there had been no new outbreaks or deaths in care homes. Across the BCP area 28 percent of care homes had experienced an outbreak. However, whilst any outbreaks were a cause of concern this figure was much lower than that nationally. There had been a total of 68 Covid-19 related deaths in care homes and 113 in the local hospitals. It was noted that the Care Home Support Plan was a government required initiative to be returned by 28 May. It was a multi-agency response with care homes and supported living providers to prevent the spread of infection into care homes. The main issue was to give care home access to PPE and medical equipment when their normal supply lines were interrupted. Support was also provided for homes with residents with dementia to ensure that where necessary they were able to isolate. It was noted that testing was also now available for anyone on admission or readmission to a care home even if they were not showing symptoms. The Board was also advised that the Council had distributed 155,000 items of PPE to care homes struggling to get adequate supplies. The Board was advised that three quarters of the latest government grant of £3 million had already been paid out to the care sector per bed to address pressures which had arisen due to infection control. The remaining part of this was due to start being paid out this week in response to staff numbers as reported by care homes. There was an increase in contacts to Adult Social Care relating to information and advice including a five-fold increase in contacts. It was noted that safeguarding contacts were also higher than normal.
In response to a query raised by Councillor Fear at the previous meeting about the mental health and wellbeing of residents in care homes the Portfolio Holder explained several measures which were in place to help residents including different activities, letters from the community, skyping residents and skype activities, jigsaws paint and modelling clay sent out. In some instances, day care centre workers had visited care home to give staff a break. There was a clear link between the mental health of care home staff and residents, and they had been given support through counselling.
The Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee asked how care homes were coping now. It was noted that the situation overall was improving for care homes. In response to a further question regarding funding for homes to make provision for people needing to isolate it was noted that the government grants could be used to support this. The Council was also doing some specific work for the homes which may have difficulty with isolating, particularly for those who had dementia and mental health issues.
In response to a query about how elderly and vulnerable people can be supported to start going outside again the Board was advised that they could use the crisis contact line which could help them with issues such as where to access PPE. The Corporate Director for Adult Social Care was also looking at using volunteers through the Together We Can initiative to support people through the recovery phase. For those not eligible for Social Care this was the best route and the Director undertook to highlight this issue to the initiative.
A Councillor advised that he was selected for a random test but was not able to participate due to a drug he was currently taking and asked whether that this was affecting a significant proportion of the population and whether there were other means to test those persons. As this was more of an issue that the NHS would need to respond to the Portfolio Holder advised that an answer would be sought and provided to Councillor Trent.
In response to comments from Cllr Fear the Portfolio Holder advised that she share with him the information that she had on the Care Home Support Plan.
A Councillor commented that the Council seemed to have been responding very well throughout this crisis and the events of the previous weekend was dramatic and that officers should be thanked for their efforts. The Councillor also raised concern with some of the comments made by the Board as political. The Chairman responded that it was the Board’s job to scrutinise and that these were serious issues that should be looked at retrospectively.
RESOVLED that the Overview and Scrutiny Board place on record its thanks to all staff and that this should be communicated to staff.