Minutes:
Following the Covid-19 presentation, a discussion took place regarding how the Area Council can assist our communities in recovery and specifically what they would like to continue to do. Members were of the view that they wanted to use community groups and Ward Alliances to assist with the recovery but were unsure how to do this going forward with the requirement for social distancing etc. Reassurances were given that government guidance would be issued when available and that it may be possible to hold 'virtual' Ward Alliance meetings until such time as face to face meetings can recommence.
Members thanked Council staff and volunteers for all their hard work in supporting the community together with NHS staff, care home workers and all Council key workers. The Area Council Manager highlighted that there is an increasing number of vulnerable individuals in the community who may not meet threshold for statutory support and the Area Council and volunteers have been instrumental in identifying and supporting them. It is now a case of ‘surviving’, not thriving, and there is a greater awareness of pressures in the community, particularly amongst older and vulnerable people who have needed support. This greater depth of contact into communities should definitely be seen as a positive.
Existing contracts will help with the recovery and are closely aligned to the Recovery Strategy. Throughout the crisis there has been a food parcel service, medication delivery and community befriending. The South Yorkshire Resilience Forum is in place to manage those individuals who are shielding. An exit strategy will be put in place for those who are shielding so that appropriate plans and step-down arrangements can be put in place for those who have become reliant on the service. The Befriending service will look at what is appropriate to sustain, using existing organisations and volunteers and building on it. Recovery planning is still in the early stages and will take 12-18 months.
RESOLVED that
(i) Contract waiver arrangements will be put in place for existing contracts which were due for retendering (Environmental Education until March 2021 and a 12 month waiver for Anti-Poverty Outreach).
(ii) A new start date will be agreed with the Community Cohesion and Housing Officer and the Young People’s project.