a) Nottinghamshire Police
b) Environmental Health
c) NHS
Minutes:
Steven Cooper, Nottinghamshire Police, gave an update on the work of the Police in the City since the last Board meeting. He highlighted the following information:
a) There have been 558 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) issued during 2021, including 39 to repeat offenders. Since 1 February, 115 FPNs have been issued so the rate of issue is slowing slightly. The main reason for enforcement being taken is gatherings in private dwellings, either reported by neighbours or Community Protection Officers.
b) As the rules should be fully understood by now, the Police tend to move to the enforcement phase of their approach quicker now.
c) During the last weekend there was a party of over 20 people in Sneinton and significant fines were issued. There has also been media coverage of a gathering in the Top House pub car park in Bulwell. The organiser was issued with a £10,000 fine.
d) There has been less footfall on public transport than normal, but there is generally good compliance with the requirements by those who are using public transport.
e) Generally, there has been really good compliance with requirements by licensed premises.
Paul Dales, Chief Environmental Health Officer Nottingham City Council, gave an update on the work of the Environmental Health Team focusing on the Team’s contribution to outbreak investigations. He highlighted the following information:
f) The Team has supported 25 detailed investigations into outbreaks involving employees. 16 were enforced by Nottingham City Council for health and safety and 9 were enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.
g) Businesses investigated include factories, call centres, schools, nurseries and care homes.
h) The Team carries out an initial assessment, which includes reviewing the risk assessments, discussing the issues with business owners and managers and looking at other local connections. If the business is identified as not operating in a Covid-secure way then a further on-site inspection is carried out. This happened in 7 of the 25 investigations.
i) 12 of the investigations resulted in a requirement for some improvement. All of the businesses were co-operative and wanted to deal with any identified issues.
j) Risk factors identified included car sharing by employees and some community transmission brought into the workplace by members of the same family working together.
k) The Team attends the daily Outbreak Cell meetings to provide intelligence, and attends Outbreak Control Management meetings when appropriate.
l) The Team does receive a number of direct complaints and queries about business compliance and often complainants want to remain anonymous. Some complaints are justified while others are not and therefore investigations are approached with an open-mind and in a way as to not expose the complainant. Businesses are generally open to receiving additional advice.
Sarah Carter, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, gave an update from a health perspective. She highlighted the following information:
m) The health system is still under some pressure although the position in hospitals has stabilised, with a fall in the number of inpatients with Covid-19.
n) In the week to 14 February there were 284 hospital admissions related to Covid-19. On 16 February there were 519 hospital beds occupied with patients with Covid-19 and 9% of those required mechanical ventilation.
o) Between 11-17 February there were 64 deaths related to Covid-19.
p) Primary care is continuing to provide as many appointments as possible but there are some pressures due to GPs supporting the vaccination programme.