Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendix and make the following resolutions as set out below:

1.    That Cabinet notes and comments on the Council’s response to Covid19 (C19) emergency to date.

2.    That Cabinet notes that a report on the financial implications of C19 on the Council’s finances will be prepared for consideration by Corporate Governance and Audit Committee, Cabinet and Council.

3.    That Cabinet notes that a Recovery Framework Document will be developed for consideration by Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet and Council.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Council’s response to Covid19 (C19) emergency to date be noted.

2.    That Cabinet notes that a report on the financial implications of C19 on the Council’s finances should be prepared for consideration by Corporate Governance and Audit Committee, Cabinet and Council.

3.    That Cabinet notes that a Recovery Framework Document should be developed for consideration by Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet and Council.

Mrs Lintill wished to thank Mrs Shepherd and the whole Chichester District Council team for their hard work during the pandemic. She drew attention to the council being referred to by Central Government as number one in the country for ensuring the despatch of business grants.

Mrs Lintill then invited Mrs Shepherd to introduce the report. Mrs Shepherd also thanked all the staff for their hard work with particular reference to the critical services and the staff who had willingly been redeployed to those areas.

Each member of the Senior Leadership Team then took it in turn to outline the work of their service teams. Each gave thanks to their staff for their hard work during the pandemic.

The Senior Leadership Team then responded to members questions. Mr Frost confirmed that he was not aware of any negative impact on the communication between Planning Policy officers and third parties as a result of the pandemic. Mr Ward confirmed that a small tax relief is available for staff working from home with a link to the HMRC website provided on the Staff Intranet as staff are required to apply directly. He explained that the amount was approximately £1.20 per week. Mr Ward explained that the Governments Fair Funding review had been delayed again but as part of that review it would consider the current council tax capping scheme.

Mrs Lintill then invited Cllr Sharp to ask a question.

Cllr Sharp asked how the council would set about planning for a better for the recovery of the high street and work out how to make sure the pavements, the streets and car parks and Eastgate Square in particular are re-invented so that people can cross the road safely

Mr Bell responded as follows:

As discussion now turns to recovery with a gradual increase in retail being relaxed from lock down over the next  few weeks/months (depending on sector) , we have established an officer group at CDC to start to work up some immediate, short term and longer term actions to support our high street in the City and the Towns. This group will be led by Property and Growth and will be supported by Economic Development, Place, Licencing and Events, Planning, Communications and Environmental Health. As part of the work in developing an action recovery plan the group will also be considering the advice from the High Street Task force ten point check list planning for recovery as follows:

1.    Common plan for public space

Bringing together all of those responsible for the management of publicly accessible space to work on a common plan for managing social distancing and movement through the area following government guidance. – The officers have already been in contact with The BID to ascertain their recovery plans and have contacted WSCC Officers to ask for their lead officer regarding the public highway.

 2.    Enhanced cleaning and sanitising

Plan for enhanced cleaning and sanitising to ensure the risks of the virus spreading are reduced. This may include  ...  view the full minutes text for item 140