DESPITE 'GLITCHES', COUNCIL CHIEF SAYS STAFF HOMEWORKING HAS BEEN 'A SUCCESS'

THE chief executive of North East Lincolnshire Council has praised the authority's staff for the way they have responded to the coronavirus emergency.

Says Rob Walsh: "It is a testament to all staff, be they front line, supporting or behind the scenes, that, where essential, public services have been maintained to the levels that currently exist across the borough. 

"Their  collective spirit, creativity and commitment have shone through."

Many council staff are currently working from home.

Continues Mr Walsh: "Notwithstanding the glitches that are bound to occur with an operation of such scale, the major shift to homeworking has been a success.

"All lessons learned will be applied to inform and shape future ways of working."

For speed of decision-making during lockdown, the chief executive has  authority to exercise all council responsibilities in respect of civil contingencies and emergency planning subject to prevailing legislation

However, where appropriate, these responsibilities have been delegated to such officers and or portfolio-holding cabinet members as considered appropriate

So far, the NELC   strategy has been to focus on five main themes:

*  Environment and regulatory

*  Adult social care and protection of the vulnerable (including homelessness

prevention and rough sleeping)

* Children, families and schools

* Financial hardship and business support

* Support councillors to fulfil their ward and other responsibilities, plus voluntary and community sector engagement

NELC , working with partners, particularly in the voluntary and community sector, has established a hub to ensure that the most vulnerable receive access to food and key supplies.

This has been a huge logistical undertaking, including vulnerable residents identified through local data analysis and intelligence, as well as via a  Government model.

Continues the chief executive: "It is important to state that the local hub would not be operating as well as it is, so far, without the significant and essential support of the borough's voluntary and community sector organisations.

"A lesson to be drawn  from the local response is the extent to which the ‘third sector’ (organisations and volunteers) plays a pivotal role in supporting residents and communities in ways that the council should consider building upon."

Mr Walsh has also praised councillors and the borough's  two MPs, Lia Nici and Martin Vickers, for their work, much of it behind the scenes, during the emergency.