The Assistant Chief Executive has submitted a report to provide an update to Cabinet on the issues, challenges and opportunities arising from COVID and the work underway during a phase of transition from the emergency response, through to restart, recovery and renewal.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Note the report and comment on the areas of work outlined and the proposed next steps outlined at paras 59&60.

Councillors Tidball and Turner,  having previously, given their apologies left during this item.

The Assistant Chief Executive had submitted a report to provide an update to Cabinet on the issues, challenges and opportunities arising from COVID and the work underway during a phase of transition from the emergency response, through to restart, recovery and renewal.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of the Council, introduced the report which set out the work of the Council over the next few months in respect of its response to Covid-19. The report was framed in terms of the language being widely used elsewhere of the three phases of restart, recover and renew.  A significant unknown in  relation  to each phase was how long each might last in parallel with recognition that there was likely to be an overlap of them for different areas of activity. The tourist industry, for example, was likely to lag behind some others. She  reminded Cabinet of some the key principles  set out in the report which will underpin the work including the importance of building on new ways of working; “building back better” with particular reference to environmental benefits; ensuring the protection of the most vulnerable in society who have been greatly affected by Covid-19; and equality, diversity and inclusion. Some of the key areas of work as set out in the report but  not already touched upon included the economy; working with local business;  and work on the public realm in the City Centre and local centres to ensure that people have the confidence to use local business and feel safe to go out into the community. Recent events had brought into sharp focus the importance of Health, Social Care and Wellbeing which will inform the work of Building Back Better.

Caroline Green, Assistant Chief Executive,  reminded Cabinet of the recommendations which had been made by Scrutiny in respect of the report and the responses given in the paper before Cabinet.

It was noted that the response to the recommendation in relation to the suggestion of setting up a mutual bank was informed by experience elsewhere and the significant amount of work which it would require notwithstanding clear support for the principle.

In relation to the   recommendation that the Health Overview Scrutiny Committee should be asked to undertake  a review of the  equalities impact of  Covid-19,   the Health and Wellbeing Board had noted that, while potentially valuable,   it would be important not to duplicate work being done elsewhere.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.       Note the report and comment on the areas of work outlined and the proposed next steps outlined at paras 59&60.

On 24 June Cabinet will consider a report on the City Council’s Covid recovery programme. This item provides an opportunity for the Committee to consider the report and make recommendations to Cabinet if it wishes.  Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of the Council and Caroline Green, Assistant Chief Executive, have been invited to attend for this item.

The report will be published as a supplement to this agenda.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of the Council, turned first to the address made by Mr Thompson. She said the matter had been raised on a number of previous occasions by Mr Thompson and officers had been asked to check the line being taken in Oxford. Officers had confirmed the view that language schools are not within the scope of the scheme. While Cambridge City Council had awarded a relief to one language school it had since come to the view that this might need to be reconsidered. They are not paying further reliefs or grants to language schools and have requested further guidance from MHCLG. The Council had sympathy for the position outlined by Mr Thompson and had written to Government in support of an extension of the scheme to language schools but in the meantime the Council had to operate the scheme as it was currently understood to apply.

Councillor Brown then introduced the report. She emphasised the absolute interconnection between the financial and recovery elements of the Council’s response to Covid-19. The three elements around which the plan was built (restart, recover and renew)  were important and distinct,  each  one of which  would require their own actions. The principles on which the programme will be based, as set out in paragraph 6 of the report, were also important and would be applied across all strands of work.  She went on to draw particular attention to and comment on some of them.

“Embed and build on positive changes that have emerged to the way we work across the council, and with our communities, volunteers and other partners.”  The response of communities and volunteers across the city to recent challenges had been outstanding and it would be important to build on that way of working.

“Seek to retain or enhance environmental benefits wherever we can”. This was an important and crucial goal for the Council.

“Target our resources to where they are most needed to support those most in need or most vulnerable.”  This had been done in recent weeks and it was important that it should continue. It was clear that many citizens would be facing significant and additional economic hardship over the coming months and the Council would do all it could to protect them.

“Ensure Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are embedded in all areas of our work.” This was an important message to communicate, particularly at the present time and in the light of the worldwide response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The  Council was clear that it would continue to listen to, work with and for all members of the community.

Councillor Brown went on to describe the 7 workstreams in the programme. In relation to these, Hardship & Vulnerability would be particularly important as increasing numbers of citizens were likely to face  financial hardship or health difficulties and the Council needed to be ready to support them. The Council had had to deliver services very differently in recent weeks and it would be important  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15