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There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Council’s current arrangements and response to the ongoing international Coronavirus, Covid-19 pandemic.
The report intimated that there were now 33,718 confirmed cases of COVID – 19 in the UK up from the 9529 reported to the Board at its meeting held on 27 March 2020. There were 2,921 deaths across the UK (up from 465 in the last report). In Scotland there were now 2,602 confirmed cases (up from 894) and 126 deaths (up from 25). Of these 682 cases were within the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board Area (up from 258).
It was noted that in response to this rapidly developing position, the Government had continued the “lock down” for the population. The report highlighted that, as a key part of the Council and partners' response to the pandemic and to protect and support local residents, a number of nationally-driven legislative and operational issues had been the focus during the week following the last meeting of the Board, including the re-deployment of Council officers as appropriate, and these were outlined within the report. The Board then heard from the Chief Executive and the Head of Policy & Commissioning in relation to support for shielded residents; from the Director of Finance & Resources in relation to funding and the overall financial implications for the Council; and community and business financial support; from the Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership in relation to testing arrangements for front line medical staff; and from the Head of Communities & Public Protection in relation to the community safety and wellbeing.
DECIDED:
(a) That the current national and local situation with regards to Covid-19 and the current plans and guidance from both the UK and Scottish Governments be noted;
(b) That the current position and response measures being put in place by the Council be noted;
(c) That it be noted that that most of the provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020 were now in force and further noted that the Scottish Parliament had approved two significant pieces of legislation (i) The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020; and (ii) The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020, details of which were provided in paragraphs 3.3 – 3.9 of the report; and
(d) That the Council's Scheme of Delegated Functions be amended to include include the authorisation of Environmental Health Officers and Trading Standards Officers and their managers as relevant persons under the Heath Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 as made under the Coronavirus Act 2020.