Agenda item

The Leader moved the motion in his name. Debate ensued.

The motion in the name of the Leader was put to the vote.

The votes were recorded as follows

RESOLVED:

That the motion in the name of Councillor Daniel Thomas was therefore agreed.

The Council notes:

1.    The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown previously unknown and unprecedented challenges at the country, including the London Borough of Barnet.

2.    There have been 459 deaths across the borough due to the Covid-19 pandemic*.

3.    From the start of lockdown on 23^rd March to 28^th August, the Council has continued to provide core services as well as additional essential support and relief to those in the community more affected by the outbreak. This includes, but is not limited to:

a.    4,855 urgent phone calls, and 3,999 emails asking for help answered

b.    7.6 million bin collections

c.    27,339 householders given Council Tax payment support

d.    14,148 food parcels and 700 hygiene parcels dispatched to the most vulnerable

e.    3,904 local businesses were awarded over £60 million in grants

f.      4,600 ‘triage’ calls made and 6,600 text messages sent to shielded individuals

g.    1.8 million items of PPE dispatched to care homes, home carers and schools

4.    Thousands of residents across the borough volunteered their time to help their community, including the 993 who registered to volunteer with Barnet Together.

5.    A number of staff members have taken time from their substantive roles to support the Borough Emergency Control Centre.

6.    50 members of staff created the Essential Supplies Hub, and manned it with the assistance of 21 volunteers and made over 10,000 deliveries to over 750 households.

7.    A Covid-19 recovery strategy is being implemented. This will set out how the Council will ensure that the borough is able to continue to future-proof the borough and build a post-Covid Barnet with a plan to support our residents and businesses.

This Council believes that:

1.     Staff at Barnet Council have put in an extraordinary effort to protect and provide for the borough’s residents.

2.    The fact that large projects, such as the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration have continued to make good progress, despite the challenges of the year, shows the commitment of our staff to ensuring a Barnet fit for the future.

3.    With our preparedness plans, we are prepared for any potential subsequent waves of the Covid-19 virus.

This Council resolves to:

1.    Thank all the staff across the Council for all their hard work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Without their hard work, our residents, our businesses and our borough-at-large would not have been served as well as it has been.

2.    Thank the thousands of residents who volunteered across the borough, to assist those in need of help during this challenging time.

3.    Express our condolences to the loved ones of all those who have died due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

4.    Continue working on our Covid-19 recovery strategy, that will plot a path for the borough to recover from the pandemic.