Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
The Head of Procurement Delivery provided the Cabinet with an update on the work that was underway across the Council to prepare for Brexit and identified the areas classified as the highest potential risk/impact.
The officer explained that the Council was currently faced with uncertainties surrounding the deal between the UK and EU, and emphasised the need for contingency plans to be in place for key frontline services that aim to manage interruptions are far as is practicably possible, particularly in relation to the supply of food and key commodities such as cleaning products and personal care.
The Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-being & Cultural Services thanked the officer for the update and commented that it provided a degree of support to businesses, residents and the vulnerable in the community in what has and continued to be a difficult time., by identifying and mitigating the risks to supply chains and procurement.
The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services referred to Section 4.1 of the report and questioned how the Council is communicating the information to the residents. The Service Director, Democratic Services and Communication advised that the social media campaign would commence at the end of the week and would follow a similar approach to last year.
The Deputy Leader questioned how prepared the Local Authority was for any future implications to residents’ accessibility to foodbanks, should there be a shortage of food supplies and increased demand. The officer advised that regular meetings were taking place with food banks to identify their needs and to support them as much as possible.
The Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing sought an update on the Shared Prosperity Fund. The Leader informed the Cabinet Member of his discussion with the Secretary of State, whereby it was believed that it was the intention for the Chancellor to outline the Shared Prosperity Fund in the coming week. The Secretary of State had also indicated that it was the intention to honour the not a penny less commitment and that it appeared that funding would go directly through Local Authorities, with a preferred regional model.
The Cabinet RESOLVED:
1. To receive assurance that the Council is planning as best as it possibly can for Brexit;
2. To identify any other areas which they consider require further assurance; and
3. To review the areas identified as being the highest risk (section 1.2 above), and whether any others should be highlighted.
Publication date: 17/11/2020
Date of decision: 17/11/2020
Decided at meeting: 17/11/2020 - Cabinet
Accompanying Documents: