The report of the Chief Executive outlined a change in the Council’s executive priorities during the period of contingency planning necessary to meet the demands of the covid-19 outbreak and provided for necessary changes to ensure that effective decision-making arrangements were in place to meet the scale of the challenge.

Resolved – That,

(a)  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.

(b)  without prejudice to the current Executive Scheme of Delegation, which is noted and endorsed:

(i)  the Head of Paid Service is authorised to take any action in furtherance of the priorities set out at (a) 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 that officer considers is reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety or welfare of individuals.

(c)  That the Council’s action to date in response to the covid-19 outbreak are noted and supported.

The Council is acting of its own volition and in support of the Government and NHS in responding to an emergency situation and manage the effects of a covid-19 epidemic. A severe pandemic could infect up to 80% of the population leading to a reduced workforce, increased pressure on health and social support and various important Council and community services.

In these circumstances it is considered important to clarify the Council’s priorities in undertaking its contingency planning and to enable the Authority to deal with decision making in a lawful and speedy manner in the coming months.