Decision details

Purpose of Report: to provide an update on activities in response to the Covid-19 and the work to support recovery and renewal. This follows previous Executive decisions to approve the Recovery and Renewal Plan, which frames the Council's recovery activities for the year.

The Executive are asked to note the report.

Resolved:  (i)      That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)      That the recommendations in relation to the re-opening of the city centre outlined in Annex 1 be approved, and authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Economy & Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy & Strategic Planning to:

a)   provide temporary public toilets in the city centre during the initial stages of lockdown easing should they be required, at a cost of £2k per week;

b)   approve expenditure of up to £200k ARG to fund the delivery of the principles for managing city and secondary centre spaces that are set out in the report;

c)   submit any planning application required for temporary managed outdoor spaces;

d)   extend the Covid Marshalls until the end of June at a cost of £28k, to facilitate the Covid-safe management of the city through Covid Containment Grant funding.

(iii)     That the recommendations outlined in Annex 2 for the use of the Additional Restrictions Grant, including the closure of applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant on 31 March 2021, be approved.

(iv)    That the participation in a Behavioural Insights trial to support Covid-safe behaviours, as outlined in Annex 3, be approved.

(v)     That deferral of the implementation of the following fees until Step 4 of the Government’s recovery roadmap be approved, and the related discount agreed:

a) cremation fees to be charged at £745 until Covid restrictions are relaxed (estimated to be 21 June at the earliest);

b) free recording of services to be maintained until the same date.

(vi)    That approval be given to use the Government Covid Recovery Grant to mitigate the financial implications of the discounts in (v) above for 3 months, subject to further review should the date for Step 4 be moved.

Reason:     In order to support the safe re-opening of the city centre, while supporting local businesses and mitigating the risks of increased community transmission arising from an increase in the number of visitors to the city centre.