County Council to do 'whatever it can'

Leader John Hart says coronavirus is an "unprecedented situation"

The leader of Devon County Council has pledged the county will do ‘whatever it can’ to support residents and communities through the coronavirus outbreak.

Cllr John Hart said that the whole council is working flat out alongside partners in the NHS and the districts to make sure they put everything they can in place to help people through this.

The council has already moved to digital invoicing for the council’s suppliers to ensure quick payment and help cash flow for local businesses and has relaxed rules relating to bus passes to enable older people to access shops before 9.30am and to enable people to take advantage of dedicated shopping times for older people being offered by some supermarkets.

Libraries across the county will close at the end of Friday, although there is a hope that some could reopen for up to two hours each morning for customers to use the library via the self-service kiosk.

Non-urgent council meetings have also been postponed until the government relaxing rules on democratic processes that require councillors to be in the room to vote.

The Torridge Highways and Traffic Orders Committee scheduled for next Tuesday is still listed as taking place, but all other meetings until the Cabinet meeting on April 8 have been postponed.

Cllr Hart said: “This is an unprecedented situation and many residents will be deeply worried about themselves, their families and how they are going to cope over the coming weeks.

“I want to assure everyone that the whole council is working flat out alongside our partners in the NHS, districts and others to make sure we put everything we can in place to help people through this.

“We will do everything it takes to keep our care system fully functioning and ease the immense pressure our hospitals are facing.

“We are working with schools, nurseries and colleges to provide the care and support our key workers need to continue in their vital roles.

“We will redeploy our own staff and resources as necessary to help keep essential services up and running.

“And we will work with the Local Enterprise Partnership to support and advise local businesses via the Growth Hub as best we can.

“Our people and communities are already demonstrating the strong community spirit which has helped us through previous crises.

“All across the County, town and parish councils and community groups are setting up volunteer schemes to keep an eye on their more vulnerable neighbours.

“I know many of us who remain healthy and mobile are already offering our support and I urge more people to do the same.

“I am happy to pledge that Devon County Council will work alongside districts, towns and parishes, the voluntary sector and local businesses to help build on and support this emerging community response to help those people who are vulnerable, housebound or self-isolating.

“Devon has a strong community spirit and by pulling together and supporting one another we will overcome this crisis – however long it takes.”

While schools across Devon will close from Friday, schools are being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children – children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the COVID-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.

Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include Those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors may also send their children to school, although many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home, and every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Dawn Stabb, Devon County Council’s Head of Education and Learning, said: “Devon schools have already been doing a brilliant job ensuring that children of key workers continue to be educated as a priority even if they have had to partially close as a result of staff shortages.

“Over the coming week we will build on that sense of community spirit so that key workers such as NHS staff, delivery drivers, care workers and school staff can be assured their children will be well looked after so they can continue their vital work.

“Headteacher representatives and the council have already planned meetings to review our longer term contingency plans and how we can – together – respond to the situation that may unfold over the coming weeks.”