Venue: Via Microsoft Teams
Contact: Charlotte Davies 01639 763745 Email: c.l.davies2@npt.gov.uk
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Minutes: Members were presented with a
draft strategy on stabilisation, the period between response and recovery,
following the COVID 19 outbreak. The strategy set out a general framework that
would support a consistent and co-ordinated approach as the Council moved
towards recovery. It was noted that the draft strategy was being presented to
all Scrutiny Committees for comments before presentation to Cabinet on 30th
July 2020 for approval. Officers gave a brief
overview of the content of the strategy, explaining that it was split into three
sections which consisted of looking back at what the Council did during the
response phase of the crisis, looking forward as the UK moved out of the
response phase and a road map of actions. When looking back at what the
Council did during the response phase, it was highlighted that a number of key
actions were undertaken including setting up a seven day a week communication
service so that guidance from UK Government, Welsh Government and Public Health
Wales could be sent out as and when it was available. It was added that the
Council closed down services to assist in reducing the spread of the virus and
changed the way some critical services operated in order to operate safely, for
example the refuse service. Officers mentioned that the first part of the
strategy also set out the changes that were made in relation to leadership and
governance, including the use of the Urgency Action provision set out in the
Constitution, to ensure that key decisions were still being taken during the
response phase. The second part of the
strategy was explained to Members, which consisted of looking forward as the UK
moved out of response phase into a stabilisation period which is the stage
before moving into the recovery phase. It was explained that there were three
areas identified as a focus as the Council moved forward: 1. The Test, Trace and
Protect Programme 2. Standing up of Council
services and functions 3. Understand and respond to
the effect and impact that the virus has had on citizens, organisations and
businesses across Neath Port Talbot It was added that the second
part also set out the changes required to be made in terms of leadership and
governance, as well as some of the risks and issues identified that will need
to managed as the Council goes through the implementation of the strategy. The third part of the
strategy was presented as a road map of actions which was framed on the basis
of a traffic light system, which set out how to move from a position of total
lockdown, through the traffic light system, to a position where services are
back up and running. It was noted that a number of services on the road map
fall within the remit of the Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee. Members asked for feedback on how the remote working with young people had been going, to which it was noted that the feedback had been ... view the full minutes text for item 1. |
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Minutes: Members received a
presentation on the current service delivery and recovery planning from the
Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning Directorate. It was highlighted that
throughout the lockdown period, Neath Port Talbot had provided a weekly payment
of £19.50 to each registered child who was entitled to Free School Meals (FSM)
to ensure that there was a significant and greater reach into the community. It
was noted that previously, grab and go bags were provided, however they were
only accessed by 20% of FSM pupils and now through the payment scheme, 95% of
FSM pupils were accessing meals. Officers confirmed that to date, £1.1million
in total had been paid out to eligible families and that this would continue
through summer and possibly into the first fortnight of the new term. As detailed in the
circulated presentation, Officers expect that almost all members of staff would
be able to return to work in September, although there were currently 12
teaching staff who were shielding. It was highlighted that risk assessments
would be undertaken by each school to clarify the arrangements for the teaching
staff who were shielding, being able to return to work in September. It was
added that schools will go through risk assessments for all activities and the
risk assessments would be delivered sometime in late August (with a deadline of
27 August 2020). In relation to inclusion
and wellbeing, it was stated that support was given to pupils throughout
lockdown; this was continued with the help of the Councils IT service, who put
provisions in place very quickly and provided the teams with the essential
equipment to allow them to be able to continue their service to the vulnerable
children in Neath Port Talbot. Officers highlighted
that the inclusive service had worked closely with Social Services to develop
the vulnerable learners register and staff had worked collaboratively as part
of a multi-agency group, to discuss provision, address issues and ensure the
register was updated on a weekly basis. It was added that this work was very
important due to the concerns that staff had with vulnerable children at home;
the register incorporated a RAG (Red, Amber, Green)
basis of the children’s risks and what support they were receiving on a weekly
basis, so that staff were able to put sufficient support in place where it was
needed. A discussion took place
in regards to leisure facilities which included libraries, Margam
Park and Celtic Leisure. It was noted that staff had taken a very cautious
approach in the re-opening of libraries and Margam
Park and had at all times, followed guidance from Welsh Government. Officers
highlighted the re-opening programme for libraries which was detailed in the
presentation, as well as mentioning the re-opening arrangements of Margam Park, which was dealt with in stages. In regards to Celtic Leisure, it was mentioned that on 17 March 2020, Members had agreed for a procurement process to be undertaken which consisted of finalising an invitation to tender for the provision of leisure ... view the full minutes text for item 2. |