Agenda item

This report updates the Cabinet on progress made in delivering the Council’s Corporate Strategy 2020-24 and the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cllr Kevin Guy introduced the report and moved the officer recommendation.  He thanked all Council staff who have continued to serve residents and have worked extremely hard in exceptional circumstances.

He was pleased to see exceptional recycling levels and noted that the Council has been ranked 15^th out of all 338 local authorities in England for its household recycling rates.  He also highlighted the provision of a walking and cycling trail around the Chew Valley Lake, and the start of the first Council house building in the area for many years.

Cllr Richard Samuel seconded the motion and stressed the importance of the performance reports to provide information on action being taken by the Council.  He highlighted the support that has been provided for businesses during this period and noted that trade is now back to 2019 levels.

Cllr Dine Romero also spoke in favour of the motion and made the following statement:

“I am delighted that this paper recognises the significant improvements that children services has delivered since the previous inspection in 2017 especially against the background of the pandemic in last two years and the rising level of need. Council staff in B&NES along with statutory partners and community groups have remained focused on the most vulnerable members of the community to deliver an extensive range of services that are having a positive impact on the lives of children, young people and their families.

Ofsted judged these services as good and in awarding this judgement recognised the substantial investment by both political and senior leaders.  

I’d like to formally add my thanks to everyone in children services and all those who offered their insights to Ofsted during the weeks inspection that led to this judgement.  

The report recognises the extraordinary efforts made in response to Covid 19. I would also like to thank all those who have been at the frontline of delivering the council’s response to the pandemic, whether that was in offering testing, pop up vaccination clinics, creating PPE as all those who have been involved in the operation and delivery of the huge number and depth of services and support from the community wellbeing hub. The hub received almost 18,000 calls from residents needing help since it was established in 2020.

The report also highlights how, over recent months, the council has built on its experience of resettling Syrian and Afghan refugees to provide a co-ordinated response to welcome Ukranian refugees to B&NES. 

Again, these has involved working with a wide range of services and partners, including schools, local health services and groupssuch as Julian House and Bath Welcomes Refugees. As well as residents and I thank them all for all their help and support.

I am happy to support this paper because of the good work that the council and partners have achieved despite the unprecedented challenges of the last two years.”  

Cllr Kevin Guy also thanked Cllr Samuel for producing a balanced budget in very difficult circumstances and congratulated all the Cabinet Members on their hard work.

RESOLVED (unanimously) to note the progress in delivering the Corporate Strategy in 2021/22 and the Council’s response to the pandemic during that period.