Issue - meetings

The Chief Executive introduced the report and explained that Portfolio Recovery Business Plans had been developed for exiting the first response phase to the pandemic in 2020.

The Recovery Committee had had oversight of the Recovery Business Plans for all five service portfolios during recent meetings.  During each of those meetings the relevant Chief Officers highlighted significant areas of risk.  This report presented progress and updates on those areas of risk for each of the portfolios.

Education and Youth

The Senior Manager – Business Support and School Governance said the areas of risk, and the responses from the Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee were:

·         Managing uncertainty around operational changes which may need to be implemented

The Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee received a report on 16^th September which provided an overview of the revised COVID-19 measures for the safe operation of schools.  The Committee were congratulatory of schools for the positive way in which they had re-opened in September and a letter of thanks to all school staff had been sent from the Chair on behalf of the Committee.  The Committee also received a verbal update on 21^st October.  The update was noted but concerns were raised on the shortage of supply teachers, teaching assistants and caretakers at schools.

·         The impact the pandemic has had on children and young people, specifically on their health and emotional well-being and their ability to engage with learning

The Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee received a verbal update on 21^st October.  Whilst the Committee was concerned on the pressure being put on Officers and Schools, they supported and appreciated that the Chief Officer Team were doing everything in their power to manage the risk.

·         The resilience of schools in managing a significant number of changes i.e. the new curriculum, Additional Learning Needs transformation and the introduction of school inspections.

The Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee received a verbal update on 21^st October.  Whilst the Committee was concerned on the pressure being put on Officers and Schools, they supported and appreciated that the Chief Officer Team were doing everything in their power to manage the risk.

Councillor McGuill asked for an update on the rollout of CO2 monitors to schools.  The Senior Manager explained that all schools would have received their monitors before the end of the month.

Housing and Assets

The Chief Executive said the areas of risk were:

·         Rental income continued to be impacted by the pandemic and when furlough and other protections ended the situation could worsen

The Community, Housing and Assets Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be considering the usual update reports on Housing Income and Welfare Reform at its meeting on 8^th December 2021.  The Committee would also receive and consider the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2022/23 and the HRA Business Plan at its meeting on 12^th January 2022.

·         Homelessness presentations increased as current protections around evictions and furlough  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45