Agenda item

Linzi Roberts Egan, Chief Executive and Councillor Sue Lukes, Executive Member for Community Safety were present and outlined the report

During consideration of the report the following main points were made –

·         First step of roadmap reached on 8 March, with schools and colleges fully reopening, and work taking place with schools to support safe full reopening

·         Support to local businesses for reopening and the Shop local, Shop safe campaign has been revived. In response to a question it was stated that on easing of the guidelines last weekend, businesses had been supported by the Council, however some businesses had chosen not to reopen at the present time. Public Protection officers were investigating breaches of COVID regulations, and any examples of breaches should be reported. Councillor Lukes stated that all Members should encourage shopkeepers to sign up to the Shop local, Shop safe initiative

·         Infections have slowed and are at relatively low levels. Symptomatic testing rose significantly in March and non-symptomatic Lateral Flow tests has remained at high levels in the community primarily linked to schools. Latest infection rate 17.3 residents per 100000 population and amongst over 60’s the infection rate is 3.3%, compared to the national average of 11%

·         Vaccination and testing – at current time 4 fixed vaccination sites in the borough, and continuing to vaccinate priority groups. Also outreach vaccination to homeless and bespoke clinics at GP hubs for those with learning difficulties. Community pop up vaccination centres have also been used. Vaccination programme is currently significantly better than others within London, but is significantly below the national target of 95%. Uptake of vaccinations is now higher than the flu vaccine programme, and is continuing to increase across all groups. Whilst lower in some Black communities the gap is narrowing

·         We are Islington has provided a significant role in supporting local residents and financial support has been provided to residents

·         Food support has also been provided and there have been 4095 requests since the service was launched. There has also been fuel support given

·         Well-being support and support to shielded/critically extremely vulnerable residents has also been provided

·         Staffing – noted that as of 6 April the percentage of staff unable to work was approx. 20% and staff working on site was 32% and support is available to staff and residents through a number of services. It was stated that this level of staff absence was also due to staff taking annual leave, those who are currently unable to work due to non COVID reasons, and had been at a similar level since the start of the pandemic

·         Noted that there had been instances of large groups of people gathering in Parks and open spaces on easing of lockdown, and that more toilet facilities would be made available in future

·         In response to a question it was stated that with regard to surge testing for variants that had taken place in other parts of London, lessons had been learnt from this, and a plan was being formulated in case Islington had to undertake surge testing for variants

·         A Member referred to paragraph 4.3 of the report and the implementation of People Friendly streets and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. It was stated that implementation had been affected by the pandemic, and that the Executive Member Environment and Transport was committed to the Council’s Net Zero Carbon 2030 strategy, and that there would be more ‘face to face’ contact with residents over proposals

·         A Member enquired as to the numbers of staff who had been vaccinated in Adult Social Care, Domiciliary Care and residential care and it was stated that these figures could be provided to Members, however it was felt that a collaborative approach to vaccination was preferable rather than compulsion

·         In response to a question it was noted that there had been some issues with vaccine supply, as some vaccines had been redirected to other parts of the country, where infection levels were higher. Second dose vaccinations were also affecting those waiting for a first dose. This was an issue across NCL

RESOLVED:

That details of staff vaccinated in Adult Social care, residential, and domiciliary care establishments be circulated to Members of the Committee

The Chair thanked Linzi Roberts – Egan and Councillor Lukes for attending