Agenda item

This report serves as an aide for a wider general discussion by Elected Members on the impact of COVID 19 on West Lindsey District Council’s Residents, Services, Performance and Finances to date.

Members will also receive verbal information from Derek Ward, Director of Public Health Lincolnshire during the meeting and will be provided an opportunity to ask questions of him.

The Chairman formally welcomed Mr Derek Ward, Director of Public Health Lincolnshire, to the meeting. 

Mr Ward gave a brief presentation to Members (copy appended) starting by outlining the current number of confirmed cases across the county, the headlines being: -

•      1149 cases, 143 confirmed deaths in Lincolnshire

•      Lincs 152 cases per 100,000 population – lowest in Midlands (excluding Rutland)

Members were provided with data to demonstrate how West Lindsey faired in comparison to other Lincolnshire areas, with Mr Ward pleased to report that West Lindsey did in fact have the lowest infection and mortality rates.  A number of statistical slides were shown to demonstrate trends over the recent weeks and months.

Finally, Mr Ward concluded by providing information around the developing track and trace programme, the role of Local authorities within this structure and the operation and tactical response arrangements in place between the County, Districts and Public Health England to deal with outbreaks & complex cases.

Members sincerely thanked Pubic Health England for their sterling work and the support provided to communities during these unprecedented times.  Whilst the pandemic had brought with it some extremely difficult situations, it also had helped organisations realise the move to on-line services, often increasing access to services for the most vulnerable and isolated, at an accelerated pace.  It was confirmed that on-line services were expected to become the new normal for a far greater number of services and would likely remain indefinitely in some form. 

There followed a period of questioning by Members during which questions were raised regarding, the basis of the statistics, anti-body testing, the average number of tests being administered per week across the District compared to nationally, and when a return to routine surgery and increased capacity in serious illness care would be seen.

In responding, Members were advised data was assigned to a person’s address, as opposed to where the tests were carried out, however there was frustration that Public Health England did not directly receive information to this level.  In respect of anti-body tests, these posed some operational challenges.  Those deemed reliable did  require a full blood test in a hospital setting.  Furthermore it was still unclear even if the presence of anti-bodies was detected, what level of protection this offered a person, or for how long.  This was still something very much being researched, with this being a new virus there were many unknowns. Track and Trace was expected to continue to be developed and it was also anticipated there would be a national review of the response.  Assurance was offered that all agencies were taking much learning from the each situation as it developed.

PHE did not currently get testing stats to allow regional comparisons, this was again something that was anticipated and had been requested and pushed for from Central Government.  Once received such analysis could be undertaken and would be shared back through the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum on which the District Council was a partner. Data other than national data was currently limited and where available under restricted publication rights. This situation was expected to be “eased” over the next week or so. Resuming normal NHS procedures was a matter for Trust Executive’s however assurance was given that over the past four weeks there had been a focus on and trying to resume normal day to day services whilst managing the risks.  The situation highlighted by Members was a recognised concern, as were the links between education, income, mental health all of which would need to be balanced as decisions were made around easing  lockdown and some return to a new normal.

Members further questioned why West Lindsey rates were so low if contributing factors were age and obesity both of which were prevalent across the county. Analysis continued but early work to establish agreed leaving mechanisms between hospitals and care homes it was believed had greatly contributed and had been invaluable. Appropriate testing and quarantine rules had been stringently applied.

Further questions were posed in respect of normal mortality rates, normal flu epidemic levels in an average winter.  Without question normal mortality rates had risen above normal levels. Such data was shared through the LRF and was publicly available. Excess deaths were seen in April, levels were currently at a seasonal average and showing signs of dipping below the seasonal average. The way of recording possible COVID-related deaths had changed throughout the pandemic , with only those testing positive recorded in the early stages.  “All cause” mortality rates was the key indicator, based on a 7 year rolling average, due to the unknowns cited by Members Learning would continuously be applied.

Final questions related to future plans to support the physical and emotional well-being of young people to mitigate the documented effects resulting from lockdown and the additional risks posed to BAME residents and reasoning for this. 

A Work programme, focusing on well-being and mental health, including that of young people was being developed and was being led through the Lincolnshire Recovery Group, on which the Council did have a representative and through which further information could be obtained. The relationship between BAME residents and COVID 19 was not as clear as first thought due to a number of reasons which were outlined.  Two recent studies by Kevin Fenton were referenced.  The mortality rates were undisputed and work continued with the Equalities Minister.  Tools were been developed to better risk assess front line staff, a large proportion of which were from the BAME community.

In conclusion, Members again expressed concern at the lack of local level data being supplied by Central Government and urged political Leaders to campaign for change and greater transparency.  It was confirmed both the County Council and PHE continued to make multiple representations regarding this matter.

The Chairman thanked Mr Ward for his time and presentation before he left the meeting, handing over to the Chief Executive who gave a short presentation to Members on the service and financial impact of COVID 19 on the Council’s services (copy appended).

A period of questioning followed during which Members sought information on the Gainsborough Leisure Centre, the investment portfolio and the mitigation actions being considered should the financial impact continue and investments not materialise as predicted.  Political statements were made around the appropriateness of the Commercial investment portfolio, and the need for  non-essential spends and non essential staffing to be reviewed / frozen citing suggestions. 

In responding, the Chief Executive confirmed that a deep clean would be undertaken at the Leisure Centre, prior to its opening.  This work had not taken place during lockdown as the majority of Staff were furloughed with only key essential staff remaining on site. In terms of the strategic risk, decisions had been taken immediately to mitigate risks examples being the postponement of the new financial system.  All non essential spend had been minimized and a full review of all budgets would be taken through the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in November.  The Chief Executive was of the view that no “emergency budget” was required at this time, the Authority had sufficient reserves to manage in the short-term, work would focus on ensuring levels could be replenished in the medium to long term.  

The Commercial Development Manger was a new role created to oversee the Council’s Trading Services. Commercial property enquiries should be directed to either the Chief Executive or the Property Services Manager, Mr Reevell.  In terms of the portfolio’s value going forward, valuations were undertaken every year, the Council had also established a volatility reserve, which had been designed to allow some losses to be absorbed.  Valuations were based on the value of the leases and this would be very much dependent on the  status of each tenant post lockdown.  It was hoped the Council had mitigated the risk as far as it could by having a diverse portfolio over a number of sectors with a variety of tenancy arrangements in good quality buildings.  Members had been provided with current best knowledge information regarding the “asks” of tenants to-date in good faith.  The situation would be monitored.  Finally addressing the comments around staffing and working practices, an internal recovery group had been established to investigate what the new normal might look like and it was hoped some of the benefits seen would be maintained, examples being on-line meetings reducing both travel time, associated costs and the impact on the climate.  The Chief Executive was also involved in the Lincolnshire wide resources cell looking at how this could be achieved collectively across Lincolnshire also. There was no block on vacancies, if the Council was to continue to deliver it needed its roles filled. All vacancies as standard practice were reviewed and needed MT approval to fill, no additional measures were considered required at this time in terms of staffing.

The Leader objected to specific teams being identified.   The Leader also referenced his comments made at a previous committee around the robustness of the Council’s situation.

Due to the lateness of proceedings the Chairman indicated he would take two more speakers before moving to the vote.  This was met with discontent from Opposition Members. 

Further questions and comments were raised in respect of the support being offered to licensed premises to ensure they were business ready, including the new street licenses.  Fly-tipping had increased and Members felt it was time to lobby for the opening of household recycling sites to alleviate the issue, and sought information on what activity the Council was actively undertaking.

Tribute was paid to the waste collection teams and the ways they had engaged with the local community especially the young people waving for example.

The Leader questioned the appropriateness of speakers asking multiple questions within an address.  The Monitoring Officer at the request of the Chairman outlined the relevant procedure rule.    Strong discontent was shown, there were outcries from Opposition Members and calls from the Administration for the meeting to be drawn to a close due to unruly behavior. The Chairman called Members to order and asked the Chief Executive to respond to the questions which had been raised during which Members noted the Council had a 48 hour response rate to fly-tipping incidents and had maintained performance during lockdown. The Authority had lobbied from the outset regarding recycling centres and sites were now open.  Regarding licensing, notification had only been received over the weekend and the Authority was working  with the County Council regarding street licenses. 

Further discontent was expressed that the debate was been brought to a close, some suggested deliberately.  Order was again called for by the Chairman with warnings issued around unruly conduct.

On being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED that a further informal workshop on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 be held towards the end of July 2020.