Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Director of Major Projects.

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Director of Major Projects concerning the City Corporation’s response to the global pandemic and the outcomes of an officer operational debrief.

During discussion of the report, the following points arose:

·         The reality was that the organisation had to react very quickly to the crisis, and the view of looking (through the governance review) whether an emergency or contingencies committee should be set up in times of future crises, was supported. There was a suggestion that the Resource Allocation Sub Committee could be used for this purpose.

·         There was a comment on improving communications with Members, businesses and residents. It was suggested that Members could also help to relay communications to their electorate.

·         Another Member felt that the reactive process was successful, and Members were consulted as much as possible.

·         The City Corporation should urge Parliament to continue the legislation allowing virtual and hybrid meeting.

RESOLVED: That Members:-

1.         Noted the range of activity undertaken in mitigation against the COVID-19 crisis.

2.         Agreed that an alternative means of Member-level decision making is / is not required should a future crisis occur.

3.         Agreed that civil resilience training should / should not be included as part of the Member development programme training offered to Members each year.