Agenda item

Members referred to the agenda report in the Council’s approach to recovery from the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic, through the delivery of seven projects over the next twelve months which would assist businesses, communities and the Council to recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Councillor Purser, the Executive representative for Covid recovery expressed condolences for all those who had lost loved ones due to the pandemic. He thanked all staff involved in the work over the past 18 months on Covid recovery for the community, particularly the Covid Recovery Officer, and the Head of Place and Commercial Service, and Councillors of the Task and Finish Group to their time and commitment. He asked members to endorse the approach to recovery from the Covid-19 Pandemic as outlined in the agenda report.

The overview and scrutiny Task and Finish Group was set up in June 2020 to assist the Council to establish what impact Covid-19 specifically had on its rural, coastal and urban communities. The agenda report set out the work of the Task and Finish Group and engagement with the community. 

The approach, and each project had been developed on the basis of extensive consultation and assessment of the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The Covid Recovery Officer presented the agenda report and he and the Head of Place and Commercial Services referred to each of the seven projects.

As and when budget would be required for the completion of each project, or internal staffing resources would need to be committed, a business case would be made and approval sought in line with corporate and constitutional requirements.

The approach would supplement our existing Council Strategy which is considered to be fit for purpose and which therefore would not require amendment.

The seven projects were at varying stages of completion and each one related directly to one of the Council’s five key theme areas. The projects have been devised as a result of the work undertaken by the Recovery Project Team in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, and with input from, and the support of Members.

Consideration was given to each project plan and it was unanimously

RECOMMENDED

The Executive be advised of the Joint committee’s recommendations as follows:

1.   The Joint Committee supports the approach to recovery from the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic as outline in the agenda report and all Projects Plans at appendices 14 to 20, for approval by the Executive subject to the following additions:

·     Appendix 14 -Training and support for business project – project summary to make it clear that existing businesses are also eligible to receive this support.

·     Appendix 15 -Transport Hubs – project summary to be clear that e-bikes need to be looked at in all towns, not just ‘main’ so rural towns can be covered; and  Project Objectives  to include ‘accessibility for all.’

·     Appendix 16 Recycling campaign to reduce waste – the outcomes section included the investigation of community repair workshops.

·     Appendix 17 -Supplier section of TDC website – clarification on whether the requirements on the supplier, for example in terms of insurance, basic public liability levels are the same for schemes under £10k and those over £10k due to concern that onerous requirements would discourage the businesses we’re seeking to engage with.

·     Appendix 20  - Community – Combined data demand analysis pilot scheme – the last paragraph of the project summary specify parish and town councils

2.   The delivery of the Project Plans are included in the Executive Forward Plan.

RESOLVED

Overview and Scrutiny Committees 1 and 2 monitor the Project plans under each of their responsibilities.

Note

The seven Project Plans as appended in the agenda report are within the Overview and Scrutiny committees’ responsibilities as follows:

Appendix 14 Training and support for business project – OS2

Appendix 15 Transport Hub – OS2

Appendix 16 Recycling campaign to reduce waste –OS1

Appendix 17 Supplier section of TDC website –OS2

Appendix 18 Vital Viable Council - OS2

Appendix 19 Community – Improving engagement with the voluntary and         community sector – OS1

Appendix 20 Community – Combined data demand analysis pilot scheme – OS1