Under the new Coronavirus Contingency Planning Procedures, as approved by the Leader of the Council, the executive (Leader and Cabinet) priorities of the Council are amended to simply be:

(i)  preservation of life;

(ii)  supporting the vulnerable;

(iii)  safeguarding children; and

(iv)  aiding the Borough’s businesses and economy during this period that contingency planning is required to respond to an emergency situation and manage the effects of a covid-19 epidemic.

In view of the Leader’s decision to agree that

(i)  the Head of Paid Service is authorised to take any action in furtherance of the priorities set out above, acting in consultation with the Leader, Cabinet member and/or Group Leaders wherever it is reasonable and practicable in the opinion of the Head of Paid Service to do so; and

(ii)  the Head of Paid Service and each Director is authorised to take any action that officer consider is reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety or welfare of individuals.

The following decision has been made:

To approve:

(a)  the variation of the current contract with Wirral Health and Well-being Community Interest Company to bring into effect additional funding for a period of 6 months of £100,000 per month plus VAT to be paid on a block arrangement for the six-month period up until the expiry of the contract on 2 October 2020 with the first instalment to be paid in April 2020;

(b) that the additional  funding shall secure an enhanced menu of support for vulnerable people aged 70+ to combat the effects of self-isolation including  telephone befriending, shopping and prescription delivery service and maintenance of  safe and adequate staffing levels in  care homes.

Preserve life.

Protect the vulnerable people in our communities.