Agenda and minutes

Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark

Alison Challenger

Kate Meynell – Steven Cooper attended as substitute

Hugh White

None

To confirm the Minutes of the public section of the meeting held on 24 November 2020

The Board approved the minutes of the public section of the meeting held on 24 November 2020 as an accurate record.

David Johns, Consultant in Public Health, gave an update on the Outbreak Control Plan. He highlighted the following information:

a)  There have been 553 cases in the last seven days which equates to a rate of 166.1 per 100,000 population. This is a very significant reduction on rates seen at the peak in October. A downward trend has been observed but the last week has seen five days of small but consecutive increases. The rise is smaller than has been observed across England and the rate remains below the England average.

b)  It was announced yesterday that the city would remain in tier three. It is disappointing not to have been moved given how far we have come but there are still significant levels of the virus amongst vulnerable populations and pressure on hospitals. Across the country only two areas dropped from tier three to tier two, one dropped from tier two to tier one while a large number increased into tier three.

c)  Tier three restrictions apply over the Christmas period but from 23-27 December Christmas bubbles can form between up to three households who can spend time, including overnight stays, in private homes or gardens. We all have a role over Christmas in limiting the spread of the virus and protecting the vulnerable. The principles of Hands, Face, Space should be applied and rooms should be ventilated for five to ten minutes every hour.

d)  Rapid LFD testing will be deployed to all secondary schools and FE colleges from January and all staff and students are eligible for testing on a voluntary basis. A staggered return will be implemented to support the roll out with those in exam years, vulnerable students and the children of key workers returning first and others being taught remotely initially.

e)  Information continues to be shared in a variety of formats and languages and the online dashboard is updated daily. Updates will be reduced over Christmas.

During the subsequent discussion the following points were raised:

f)  It is not clear why Bristol and the Southwest have been successful in moving from tier three to tier two but in Nottingham the rate of improvement has slowed in recent weeks which may have impacted on the decision to remain in tier three.

g)  Decisions taken by individuals in relation to Christmas shopping and mixing will affect what happens in January.

a)  Environmental Health

b)  Nottinghamshire Police

c)  Health

Paul Dales, Safer Business, Food and Health and Safety Manager, Nottingham City Council, gave an update on the work of the Environmental Health, Community Protection and Trading Standards Teams. He highlighted the following information:

a)  Between 30 November and 13 December, 588 business compliance checks were carried out with an additional 9 compliance visits undertaken in response to complaints. From these compliance checks, 98 businesses were found to be non-compliant and corrective actions were enabled, usually at the time of the visit. An additional 67 visits were made to close contact services and 44 interventions were made, including the issuing of two Fixed Penalty Notices for lack of face coverings.

b)  During the same period there were eight requests for support, and 74 complaints, the most common complaints being lack of social distancing, businesses not encouraging face coverings, and lack of PPE for staff.

c)  Work has been undertaken with the Health and Safety Executive assessing Covid compliance in warehousing and carehomes. 122 warehouse workplaces have been assessed by phone and through risk assessments with 11 being identified for a visit by an Environmental Health Officer. 115 carehomes will be assessed by home and risk assessment review in the New Year.

Steven Cooper gave an update on the work of Nottinghamshire Police, highlighting the following information:

d)  Calls to the Police regarding businesses, including night time economy businesses, have significantly reduced.

e)  Work has been undertaken with the universities regarding the departure and return of students.

f)  Between 1 and 14 December 149 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued in the city. The majority of these were issued at the beginning of the period to those involved in large gatherings.

g)  A pragmatic approach will be taken during the Christmas period.

Amanda Sullivan and Andy Haynes gave an update from a health perspective, highlighting the following information:

h)  The city’s hospitals are very busy with 195 admissions in the seven days to 9^th December. 372 beds are currently occupied by covid patients which is higher than during the peak of the first wave. 33 deaths were recorded across Nottinghamshire hospitals and there is concern regarding the rate amongst over sixties.

i)  There has been good uptake of the ‘flu vaccine which has increased by 9% over previous years and there is coverage amongst those aged 65 and over.

j)  London and the South East are now reaching levels seen in the spring which are the levels managed here for the last three months.

Sarah Carter, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, gave an update on the Covid Vaccination Plan. She highlighted the following information:

a)  Vaccinations will continue to be rolled out in line with guidance with a network of local, community and roaming services, and hospital hubs. The system is expected to be operating at capacity from late January/ early February dependent on the supply of vaccine.

b)  Hospital hubs are live and are delivering the vaccine to priority cohorts of 80+, carehome residents, and staff and NHS workers.

c)  Services will begin to be delivered in the community, including amongst those who are vaccine hesitant, during January.

d)  When running at capacity the service will be able to deliver over 50,000 vaccinations per week across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, dependent on vaccine supply. Individuals need to wait to be invited for vaccination. They will receive a letter asking them to book an appointment online or via a national booking line.

The Board agreed to exclude the public to move into the confidential section of the meeting.

See Confidential Minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the confidential section of the meeting held on 24 November 2020

See Confidential Minutes

See Confidential Minutes

See Confidential Minutes

See Confidential Minutes

See Confidential Minutes