The Chair had agreed to consideration of this item as a matter of urgent business by reason of the special circumstances of the changing picture of public health advice concerning the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19.

Philip McCourt, Director of Law and Governance, introduced a report in respect of the expected lifting of coronavirus restrictions in line with the Government’s roadmap and that the legal requirements on non-opening of venues to the public would come to an end. This was in the context of a rapidly changing and worsening of case numbers as the Delta variant of Covid-19 spread.

In addition to compliance with likely changing Government and public health guidance, additional requirements were likely to be placed upon the Council in terms of deployment of resources to respond to public health events, business continuity and commerciality that would have a direct and immediate effect on the operation of Council venues and facilities.

Support was therefore sought in relation to continued communication of public health advice and to speedy decision making in response to any such requirements.

With regard to the proposals in the report, Philip McCourt highlighted the following generic criteria which would support officers taking individual decisions in relation to venues, as follows:

A.  Covid-19 Guidance Compliance (health and safety);

B.  Ability to function and resource availability (business continuity); and/or

C.  Financial considerations (investment and commerciality).

Julie Webster, Director of Public Health gave an update to the committee on the current numbers of cases of COVID-19 in the Borough, with 229 cases recorded in one day on 28 June, a substantial increase since 17 May. At the beginning of May cases were 5 or 6 per day. The rise in case numbers was, however, fortunately not this time translating into a significant rise in hospitalisations. She also gave an update with regard to the number of school pupils self-isolating, 3,300, currently, approximately 6% of the schools population and 250 schools staff, approximately 5% of all school staff.

In response to comments from Members, Julie Webster confirmed the breakdown in respect of schools numbers for primary and secondary pupils and that with regard to free school meals, this should be notified to those families with children self-isolating through the COVID support hub and she would follow this up.

Responding to further comment, Philip McCourt stated that with revised guidance expected shortly, decisions would then be taken with regard to any expenditure required on facilities to reopen. If social distancing meant that a venue wouldn’t be economic to open then discussions could be held with the Director of Resources and colleagues at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about how funding could be used and reprioritised.

The Chair commented upon the need not to allow commercial considerations to override any public health advice.

On a motion by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, seconded by the Chair it was -

Resolved – That,

(1)  Committee endorse authority for the Chief Executive or a Director to suspend, vary or cease operation of a Council venue or facilities as a response to Coronavirus related events, including compliance with Government and public health advice, prioritisation of resource availability and economic impact.

(2)  Where there is to be a variation proposed as a result of prioritisation or economic considerations then any decision shall be in consultation with the Chair and Group Leaders. 

(3)  That this decision be subject to review and an update report be submitted to the Committee’s meeting of 1st December, 2021 at the latest, failing which the decision shall cease to be of effect.