The lessons learnt and experiences gathered from dealing with COVID-19 will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet; helping to inform how services might be delivered in future.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Calderdale Council, along with local authorities across the country, is facing some of the greatest challenges ever experienced.
The Future Council report being presented to Cabinet outlines how the Council can provide services which are both safe and financially sustainable in the context of these challenges.
The report includes a 10-point plan of the Cabinet’s priorities in the short term, to be achieved alongside the response and recovery from the pandemic. This includes providing ongoing support for vulnerable adults and children; reducing the borough’s COVID infection rate; supporting schools, communities and businesses; and minimising the impact of the economic recession.
The report also includes a focus on reviewing existing services as part of the Future Council transformation programme. To guide this, a framework would be used to inform when services can operate safely; taking the opportunity to ensure they’re effective and have a viable future. The reviews and reshaping of services will also use the principles of ‘Keep it Local’ – that services are best delivered and commissioned locally, with the community.
The majority of what the Council does will continue, with the priority being to ensure that people are kept as safe as possible and the vulnerable continue to be supported.
The suggestions of the Future Council report will be carefully considered and any significant changes to Council service delivery will be subject to further Cabinet approvals.
The Leader of Calderdale Council, Cllr Tim Swift, said:
“The restrictions and measures introduced as a result of COVID-19 required us to think and adapt quickly and make immediate changes to how we deliver our services.
“As restrictions ease, we look forward to welcoming people back to our services safely and gradually. This will be coordinated using national guidance and local knowledge and expertise. It’s also important we learn from recent experience and transform services where appropriate.
“This has been a difficult year for everyone and we’re aware of the many challenges we’re yet to face. I want to stress that no significant changes will be introduced at this stage. This report outlines a number of considerations for the Future Council service delivery but any definitive decisions will be examined in further detail at subsequent meetings in the context of the Council’s changing financial position.”
The Future Council report will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet which will be held virtually on Monday 7 September. The meeting will be live streamed through the Council’s YouTube channel from 6pm.