Agenda item - Chair's Communications

The Chair of the Board will start the meeting with a short update on recent developments on health and wellbeing.

          Thanks to Health and Care Staff

3.1      The Chair stated that she wanted to begin her communications by placing on record a big thank you to all the health and care staff, the local authority staff, her fellow councillors, those working in all our partner organisations, businesses and residents, she had seen first-hand the hours and dedication of council staff working 24/7 and was am sure this is replicated across the city, in the NHS, (hospital and community), other public sector organisations such as the police, our businesses and workplaces, and voluntary and community groups. They have all had to respond to a situation which sometimes changed hourly, to concerned colleagues and residents, to uncertainty and tragedy and they have responded magnificently, always putting the health, safety and prosperity of the city first. There was no doubt that all our key workers across the whole city had contributed to saving lives and on behalf of everyone, she wanted to thank them.

3.2      The Chair also wanted to thank the informal community groups and volunteers who had been mobilising in all the wards to help those most in need. More than 1100 people volunteered with Community Works between January and May 2020. That was more than four times what would usually be seen at this time of year and showed how much people wanted to help others right now. Many, many more had helped their neighbours and communities in so many ways. A thank you also needed to go to the residents of Brighton and Hove who had been following the government’s guidelines on staying at home, physical distancing or isolation. Whatever those in the public sector and voluntary and community sector did this pandemic could not be beaten without the co-operation and consent of the public. It was residents themselves who had also helped to prevent the further spread of the virus in the city and to bring the pandemicunder control.

          Need for Continuing Social Distancing Measures

3.2      The Chair went on to state that she was sure however, that it hasn’t escaped anyone’s attention that ever since some of the lockdown restrictions have been lifted, the city’s parks and particularly the seafront had been busy with residents and visitors. It was incredibly upsetting to hear from people who lived in the city, many of whom have no garden or balcony, that they could not go to their local park or the seafront because it was too busy and they felt unsafe. Whilst the council would like to be able to do more unfortunately it had very little power to enforce this over-crowding. So, her plea to everyone was that that when they went out, they needed to continue to follow physical distancing measures and keep two metres apart from others who were not in part of their household and to look out for others who might find it harder to understand or keep their distance themselves.

          Carer’s Week

3.4      The Chair stated that week was carers week, she wanted to say a big thank to carers for the contribution which they made to the community. Carers week was intended to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital work of carers and the contribution which they made to the community. Last year the city had hosted its first Carers Festival, this year the event had would be digital and the festival had been organised on-line. It would provide an opportunity for carers to try out new activities in virtual classes or to receive advice they needed. Those present were urged to have a look at the Carers Centre website to see the full programme of events.

3.5      Finally, the Chair urged everyone to look after themselves and others. With so much going on she wanted to urge people to look after themselves as well as their families and neighbours. Additional support was available for anyone who needed it from the Community Advice and Support Hub. Everyone should have received information about the support available in the post, this information was also available on the council website.

3.6      RESOLVED – That the content of the Chair’s Communications be received and noted.

          Minutes Silence in Recognition of Contribution of Key Workers

3.7      Before proceeding to the formal business of the meeting the Board observed a minutes silence in recognition of the hard work and sacrifice of the many key workers and others in combatting the  current pandemic.

          Callover

3.8      All items on the agenda were called for discussion.