Verbal
report
Decision:
To
note the information and thank staff for their work during the crisis period.
Minutes:
The report was submitted by Dilwyn
Williams
DECISION
To note the information
and thank staff for their work
during the crisis period.
DISCUSSION
The
Chief Executive noted that he
would provide an update which
would outline what the Council was doing to respond to the Covid-19 crisis. It was noted that elected members
would be receiving an update before
the end of the week.
A snapshot of the staffing situation was given, noting that 137 were in the Government's
shielding category, 175
staff were ill with 46 of those as a result of covid-19 symptoms. It was added that over 1800 staff were now working
from home and that only
132 members of staff were now working in
an office. It was noted that, currently,
the care field was coping fairly well but that cases
had arisen in three older people's
homes, but that the situations were now under
control.
It was reported that statistics
showed Gwynedd as being fairly successful and that the cases
were at the bottom end of the range highlighted in the potential scenarios. It was added that, once
the restrictions would be relaxed, we would need to plan for the next period. It was noted that there
was much talk about PPE but it was stressed that the level of PPE in Gwynedd was fine but that
the level of masks was a cause for concern.
It was stated that supplies were coming
from the Government and it was also noted that work
was being undertaken to investigate the level of additional costs facing the private sector.
It was stressed that the volunteer system was working
well, with an army of people in Gwynedd ready and willing to assist. It was explained that education continued to look after the children of key workers and
vulnerable children. It was
emphasised that the bins service had continued throughout the period but that
the Recycling Centres would
remain closed for now.
Observations arising
from the discussion
¾ The Chief Executive and the Chief Officers were thanked for
leading the work throughout this period. It was added that the Cabinet members had been meeting informally
regularly.
¾ The Cabinet Member
for Finance expressed his gratitude to the department's
staff for their work during this
period, specifically the Information Technology staff for ensuring that
all staff could work from home. It was also stressed that
no council tax would be recovered
until the end of June and it was outlined that work
was being done in order to measure
the financial effect of this period on
the Council.
¾ It was stressed
that this was a crisis period and
that it struck everyone compared to the crises the county had faced in the past, where specific communities had been struck. In relation
to the Adults field, it was
explained that staff were working hard
and they were thanked for
this work under challenging conditions.
¾ The Cabinet Member
for Highways and Municipal thanked the staff for being willing
to work and for ensuring that
the people of Gwynedd received
a service. It was expressed
that fly-tipping had been raised as a cause of concern but that the level
of cases occurring had not been much higher
than usual.
¾ It was noted that homeless individuals
had now been housed during the crisis period. It was added that the Property department had secured ten extra
beds in the Bryn Blodau home for the period.
¾ The Cabinet Member
for the Environment noted that alternative
arrangements for the planning field had been introduced by Welsh Government. It was added that the Public Protection service had been busy leading
on the work of reducing scamming which had been highlighted during the period.
¾ The Corporate
Support department was thanked for their
willingness to change their working methods.
It was stressed that Siop
Gwynedd were now closed and that
Galw Gwynedd staff continued to work
from home.
¾ It was stressed
that direct payments were being
made to the parents of free school meals
children and it was added that work
was being undertaken to prepare an educational
provision. It was explained
that 2000 devices were needed for
pupils in order to facilitate that educational provision, and it was added that these
would come from the schools directly. The staff and teachers were thanked
for their work during this
period.
¾ The Cabinet Member
for Economy noted that the department had been working very differently
compared to usual and the staff were thanked for that.
It was explained that supporting businesses was the
main priority and ensuring that there
would not be a long-term effect
on the area's businesses. It was added that work had been
undertaken to ensure community resilience and that 23 members
were part of a team to ensure that vulnerable people could get
in touch to seek support.
¾ The Cabinet Member for Children and Supporting People stressed that the department had been working hard and that there were many positive stories within the department. It was explained that staff had received PPE and understood how to use it and had found a different way of working and supporting young people and children.
It was explained that the care fields - children and adults - were open to vulnerable people. All Council staff, as well as residents, were thanked for their willingness to assist in the care field.
Awdur:Dilwyn Williams