The Chief Executive submitted a report outlining the Council’s approach to the Recovery phase of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, which followed the Council’s initial response to the Pandemic and the update report provided to Policy Committee on 18 May 2020 (Minute 94 refers).  The following documents were attached to the report:

·       Appendix 1 – Pandemic Response Strategic Framework and Underlying Principles;

·       Appendix 2 - Reading Borough Council Recovery Structure Diagram;

·       Appendix 3 - Local Resilience Forum Multi Agency Recovery Structure Diagram.

The report explained that the overall vision for the Recovery phase was to ensure Reading could be a thriving, virus-resilient community, based on: ensuring the Council itself was resilient and fit for the future; helping people be safe and communities thrive; and securing the economic future of Reading.

These strategic priorities were a supplement to, but in no way a replacement of, the Corporate Plan, acknowledging that the context of the crisis required a shift in focus.  The Recovery plan sought to cover the period until the end of the calendar year and it was envisaged that the impact assessment, and the outcome of the Recovery work, would feed into the next Corporate Plan which would cover the period from 2021-2025. 

The report explained that ‘Ensuring the Council is itself resilient and fit for the future’ was a strategy which was applicable to the Council’s own operations and delivery of services and would be delivered through an Operational Recovery Group.  ‘Helping people be safe and communities thrive’ was a strategy which needed to be delivered with partners, particularly the voluntary sector in Reading and the health and social care sector, and would be led by a Social Regeneration and Voluntary Sector Group. ‘Securing the economic future of Reading’ would require wide participation from businesses and partners and would be delivered through an Economic Recovery and Renewal Group.  All three groups would report into the Corporate Management Team which would be the strategic co-ordinating group for the Council’s Recovery programme.  Appendix 2 of the report illustrated the framework and the relationship between the different groups and priorities.

The report noted that the structures set up in Reading mirrored similar structures in the Thames Valley area under the Local Resilience Forum.  The Council was working with its partners in Berkshire and the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum under the requirements of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and relevant guidance.  In discussion with other councils in Berkshire, it had been agreed that the Thames Valley area was not a natural and cohesive economic area around which to build economic recovery and that therefore regional structures should be considered at the county level.  Appendix 3 to the draft report showed the corresponding structures under the Local Resilience Forum.

Resolved –

That the Council’s response to the Recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic as set out in the report and summarised above be endorsed.