Minutes:
The report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the report as urgent so that the council could put in place any further, necessary next steps on policy and resource direction for the council with regards the ongoing response to, and planning for renewal from, the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the borough.
RESOLVED:
1. That the update on the council’s overall response to COVID-19 pandemic, following the report to cabinet on 5 May, working together with all our communities as part of our #SouthwarkTogether response (see Appendix 1 of the report for departmental summaries) be noted.
2. That further condolence be expressed to all those who have lost loved ones at this time and welcomes the work underway with partners and the community to support the humanitarian aspect of this pandemic as set out in paragraphs 43 to 46 of the report.
3. That the risk of COVID-19 related death according to national data among Black ethnic groups is almost twice than among those of white ethnicity and agrees that COVID-19 has exposed some of the most entrenched inequalities in our society be noted.
4. That it be agreed that racism, injustice, and inequality have no place in Southwark, and commits all in the council to work with our communities to challenge ourselves and others to be better at every opportunity.
5. That a programme of work to respond to the inequalities exposed by COVID-19 and other recent events, and articulated by the Black Lives Matter protests, reporting back to cabinet in September 2020 is taken forward.
6. That all residents, staff, partners, volunteers, providers, suppliers and all in our community who continue to patiently observe guidance during lockdown and for their ongoing dedication in supporting our residents through this crisis safely be thanked.
7. That schools, and parents, carers and guardians, be thanked for their work to support those children who have returned safely to classroom settings in recent weeks whilstalso continuing to support learning at home for the vast majority of children.
8. That local business be thanked for their continuing support to local communities at this time, welcoming back to our town centres and high streets those establishments that are able to safely re-open; and continues to encourage those in greatest need and not eligible for other government support to apply for a share of the additional £3.4m discretionary funding made available by the council for business hardship
9. That the effort of all those involved in the community hub in assisting vulnerable residents during the worst impact of the pandemic be supported and officers be instructed to bring forward a report on learning and the longer term approach to cabinet in September 2020.
10. That the the establishment of a member led COVID-19 oversight board as a sub-board of the health and wellbeing board to monitor the delivery of the Southwark COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan, as part of our Test and Trace arrangements be supported.
11. That the thirty-four recommendations from overview and scrutiny committee 7 May 2020, as set out at Appendix 2 of the report be agreed and the committee thanked for their findings.