Issue - meetings

The Panel is invited to comment on the COVID-19 District Impact Assessment.

By means of a report by the Assistant Director Recovery and the Recovery Programme Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the COVID-19 District Impact Assessment was presented to the Panel.

The Panel heard that the impact assessment underpins the focus of the Council, its communities and partners in achieving an environment, within which, Huntingdonshire and its residents can thrive, protecting and enhancing the natural beauty of the area and ensuring the creation of sustainable places where people want to live. It was also acknowledged that many of the issues identified could not be addressed purely by the Council as some are the responsibility of partners. The impact assessment will allow the Council to take a lead with partners and communities with an evidence base to support a safe and healthy environment, deliver economic growth and create opportunities for the people of Huntingdonshire.

Councillor Alban queried whether the statistics in the report related to Huntingdonshire or Cambridgeshire. The Panel were advised that there was a mixture of district, county and national level statistics. The Panel also heard that some data was not readily available and that due to its nature, may quickly become out of date, however positive relationships were being developed with other local authorities to enable the sharing of and better quality of data. Councillor Alban requested clarity in future reports around data origination.

The Panel heard from Executive Councillor Criswell that the positive relationships developed with town and parish councils during the pandemic would be built on. The intention of the Impact Assessment was to integrate the work into existing strategies not to create a separate recovery plan thus ensuring business as usual is maintained.

Concerns were raised by Councillor Wilson over the overwhelming amount of data in the report, and also regarding hospital waiting times for non COVID related health concerns. The Panel heard that whilst the Council were very much mindful of such concerns, the focus would remain on what could be influenced and affected by the Council so as to make a positive impact where possible.

Following a question from Councillor Banks on available funding for this work, the Panel heard that this work will become business as usual and integrated into all existing strategies as a future way of working, in order to minimise future pressures on budgets.

Councillor Gardener raised the issue of cycle route improvements, which would have positive benefits on health, active travel and the environment. The Panel heard that an active travel map was being investigated.

The Panel praised the excellent piece of work and thanked the officers involved.

It was thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Panel endorse the recommendations contained within the report.