The Chief Executive delivered a presentation on the response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and the steps being taken towards recovery, and to update Members on the approach to recovery, including the establishment of a Cross-Party Recovery Panel.

He informed Council that in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic, on 23 March 2020 the UK Government imposed a nationwide lockdown in an effort to help minimise the spread of coronavirus.  Since then, Council has undergone significant change over the last four months, often responding urgently to changing circumstances, guidance and regulation.  New

services have been created, some services stopped, staff redeployed and new working practices put in place including enabling those that can work from home to do so.  He stated that the focus throughout the last four months has been on the delivery of essential services, in particular those for the most vulnerable in its communities, and seeking to prevent the spread of the virus to save lives.  He informed Council that services had been adapted at a scale and pace that was unprecedented, while emergency governance arrangements had been out in place.  Throughout this process, there had been one Council approach and enhanced partnership working. 

He highlighted a graphic showing the Council’s response to Covid-19.  He also highlighted the number of Covid-19 cases and sadly the number of deaths in the County Borough. 

The Chief Executive outlined the steps being taken with the gradual easing of lockdown, together with the ongoing challenges affecting the Council.  He highlighted the financial challenges on the Council, namely the additional cost pressures, lost income to the Council and that savings in the Medium Term Financial Strategy of £2.413m may not be achieved.  However unanticipated savings had been made in home to school transport, premises and fuel.  He stated there was likely to be a shortfall in Council Tax collection, especially given the delay in starting recovery and an increase in Council Tax benefits.  He informed Council of the range of financial support which had been available by the Welsh Government across Wales.  He highlighted the position of the monthly claims for additional expenditure submitted to the Welsh Government together with the financial challenges facing the Council, with a £3.8m overspend at quarter 1.  

The Chief Executive outlined the process of Restart, Recover and Renew, the establishment of a Cross Party Recovery Panel.  There would be a need to reset the 2020/21 budget and Corporate Plan taking account of circumstances and revised priorities.  He highlighted the recovery priorities facing the Council together with a coordinated response to recovery.  He informed Council of the need to embrace the new normal but also to understand the opportunities and risks.  He concluded by informing Council that it had been a uniquely challenging 4 month period, with unprecedented change and the Council’s response had been excellent, with the response by some staff being heroic.  He stated that the economic hit was likely to be severe with increased unemployment and benefit claimants.

A member of Council questioned how confident the Council is to cope with a second peak.  The Chief Executive informed Council that all Nightingale hospitals had been kept and services were better prepared for a second peak.  The infection had been less in Bridgend compared to the other areas making up Cwm Taf Health Board and that weekly meetings take place with the Chief Executive and Chair of the Health Board.

A member of Council thanked the key workers of the Council for their work during the pandemic and he thanked officers for their work in processing referrals in such a timely manner during this time.

A member of Council referred to the Cross Recovery Panel and asked whether meeting arrangements would be flexible and webcasted.  The Chief Executive envisaged that meetings of the panel will be flexible, it would be able to invite attendees and then report its findings to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee to make recommendations to Cabinet.  There would be no intention for meetings of the Panel to be webcasted.  He stated that the Panel would need to look at the reset of the budget and Corporate Plan in order to make recommendations to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny and onwards to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:             That Council:

(1) noted the presentation of the Chief Executive;

  (2) noted the approach approved by Cabinet to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and allow the Council to re-start, recover and renew its service provision;

(3) noted the establishment of a Cross-Party Recovery Panel to help shape, inform, and advise Cabinet on the Council’s recovery planning.