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 positive, although the youth service had staff who
were redeployed into the Safe and Well service, so the remaining staff had to
manage the capacity within the youth service, therefore prioritised the most
vulnerable young people. It was added that the staff completed weekly phone
calls to ensure that the young people felt safe and had issues, with anxiety
for example, addressed. Members were informed that a self-referral system was
also set up for young people to use, so that if they felt under pressure they
could self-refer into the service. It was noted that Officers were satisfied
with the level of engagement, however the benefits of meeting face-to-face with
young people was missing.
Officers were asked if any
details regarding travel arrangements for pupils had been confirmed, in
particular if pupils would need to wear face masks on school buses and how the
face masks would be purchased. It was stated that Welsh Government had
published operational guidance for schools reopening in September, however some
areas had not been developed to date, including home to school transport so the
outcome was not known as of yet. It was added that the expectation was that if
face masks were to be mandated, it would only be for pupils in secondary school
(Key Stages 3 and 4) and not primary school pupils. Although Officers weren’t
aware of how the face masks would be purchased, it was noted that they were
aware that approximately 3,000 secondary aged pupils were being transported
every day, twice a day, therefore 6,000 face masks would need to be provided
every day which estimated a significant cost of around £4million. The Committee
was informed that once Officers were aware of the position of home to school
transport in Wales, they would report back to Members.
The ‘green’ column on the
Road Map was highlighted to be blank for early years, youth service and adult
learning services, to which Members asked if this was due to no recent update
from Welsh Government. Members also mentioned that they were aware that there
had been an increase in mental health problems with young people and asked were
there any considerations going forward to tackle these issues before schools
opened in September.
Officers provided an update on the service areas mentioned, including the
community learning services who were currently operating via Microsoft Teams
and through other technological provisions, and due to the two meter social
distancing measures in place, face to face delivery wasn’t likely to be
re-introduced any time soon.
In terms on child care providers, it was noted that there were currently 79 out
of 129 providers operating in Neath Port Talbot (around 61%) but the need to
ensure that all 129 providers are brought back to serve the communities where
they operate from was highlighted.
In relation to funding, it was stated that the Council had two significant
funding streams:
1. Summer support for
vulnerable learners, which involves working with Social Services, schools and
other agencies such as the police and health, to identify the most vulnerable
leaners. It was confirmed that £75,000 has been allocated to provide respite
and other similar support over the summer.
2. Summer enrichment
activities which will take the place of SHEP, as due to the current
restrictions it would be difficult to run such an extensive programme. Instead,
the summer enrichment activities will be provided from six of the Councils
facilities over a fortnight and will be targeted at schools with a Free School
Meal (FSM) profile of over 17%. It was confirmed that around £46,000 had been
allocated to provide the activities.
Members noted that remote
emotional health and wellbeing support for children was being provided and
would continue over the summer for those who need it. It was added that the
school based counselling service was still active, but was also being delivered
remotely.
Supporting documents: