Issue - items at meetings - Covid-19 Recovery & Renewal Programme - Update

Report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture.

RESOLVED: That the update report be noted.

22.1         The Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture introduced the report which provided an update on the progress of the Covid-19 Recovery & Renewal Programme. He noted that due to the fast-moving nature of the pandemic aspects of the report may have been superseded by events by the time of the sub-committee’s meeting.

22.2         The Sub-Committee welcomed the report and raised queries in relation to:

·         The closure of the testing centre at the Amex;

·         The need for information in relation to the ‘R’ number;

·         The lack of a financial update, albeit a report had been considered by the P&R Committee;

·         Support for Small Businesses

22.3         The Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture stated that officers were looking at potential sites for walk-in test centres within the city. These would need to be approved by the service that would manage the site and, in the meantime, a temporary walk-in unit was based at the Withdean Stadium. He noted that the Health & Wellbeing Board would receive regular reports on the Local Outreach Control Plan which would take account of the ‘R’ number. He also noted that the re-start for local businesses had begun well and access to support was being made available e.g. bids to the Arts Council and cases would be looked at on an individual basis.

22.4         The Acting Chief Finance Officer stated that he would provide a copy of the TBM 4 report that could be accompany the minutes so that Members and interested parties had access to the information. He noted that the business rate relief funding by Government had been distributed and that anything above that would have to be met by the Council and thereby add to its own financial position/deficit. He stated that offers of support such as deferred payments had been made, but there was a need to be mindful of not stacking up debts.

22.5         The Chair noted the comments and put the recommendation to note the report to vote.

22.6         RESOLVED: That the update report be noted.