Agenda item

To provide the Joint Public Protection Committee with an update on the service response to Covid19 as well as an update on interim service delivery arrangements.

The Committee considered the report (Agenda Item 8) which provided an update on the service response to Covid-19 and recovery work, and on the challenge of balancing Covid-19 related work with business as usual.

The report also provided an update on interim service delivery arrangements. The interim restructure commenced as planned on 1 August 2020 with the teams structured to undertake the wide range of services delivered by the Public Protection Partnership (PPP). The report highlighted this wide range of service delivery.

Sean Murphy, Public Protection Manager, explained that the report detailed areas of increased demand, such as an increase in bonfire enquiries, licensing enquiries, noise complaints and reports of fly tipping. However, there was a reduced requirement in some areas, i.e. for food standard inspections while the hospitality sector had been closed for a period of time.

A further section of the report described the PPP’s involvement in Covid-19 outbreak planning and investigation. The Service had been involved in the response to outbreaks in care homes and work places.

Work in relation to organised events had also increased with more events needing an assessment, with Covid-19 requirements to meet, than had been the case in previous years.

The PPP would continue its work with local businesses to support them and the economy. Online sessions had been made available to support businesses. In response to requests from businesses, premises had been visited to assist them either immediately prior to or post reopening. It was important to support businesses which in turn would improve consumer confidence.

Further detail was provided in the two Member updates and in the communications update appended to the report.

An ongoing challenge was the balancing of additional Covid-19 work with business as usual. This could result in difficult decisions needing to be taken in future based on the resources available.

Moving forward, there were also potential implications arising from Brexit. Regulatory services currently followed European legislation and this was clearly an area of change.

Councillor Chris Bowring queried the impact of Covid-19 on activity relating to the Licensing Act. For example, could the licence of a public house be called in if there was not adherence to requirements. Mr Murphy advised that legal action could be taken as outlined in the Coronavirus No. 3 Regulations. He was aware of some local authorities that had taken action against premises that had breached Covid-19 safety requirements.

Councillor John Porter queried if information could be provided, perhaps by the next meeting, on the number of Covid compliance tests that had been undertaken alongside conducting business as usual. Mr Murphy agreed to circulate this information.

Councillor Porter felt that it was important for premises to clearly understand that breaches of Covid-19 regulations would be taken very seriously. He felt this would support officers in conducting their work.

Councillor James Cole made a request for the next meeting for more information on case management work. The hours taken on the work and the costs incurred. Mr Murphy agreed to provide this information.

RESOLVED that:

·         the role the PPP was playing across the Councils with respect to the Covid-19 response be noted.

·         the status of ongoing service recovery/delivery arrangements be noted.

·         the effect of additional Covid related workload on the ability to perform certain functions be noted.

·         a further progress update would be received at the December 2020 meeting.