Agenda item

The Committee received a report presented by the Executive Board Member for Public Protection which provided a summary of how the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted on the Public Protection services from a service user, staff and Council perspective whilst providing clear information on actions taken.

The report focussed on key delivery issues and future developments in the following service areas:

·       Test, Track and Trace (TTP);

·       Animal Health;

·       Licensing;

·       Financial Investigation Unit;

·       Trading Standards;

·       COVID-19 Team- Advice and Enforcement;

·       Pollution;

·       Public Health and Well-being; and

·       Food, Safety and Health

·       Dog Fouling; Abandoned Vehicles etc

A number of questions / observations were raised on the report.  The main matters were as follows:

·       It was asked if there had been any problems in receiving the correct information from the public?  The Executive Board Member for Public Protection acknowledged that whilst there were individuals not adhering to the regulations and the advice provided in order to minimise the transmission rate, the percentages cited on page 45 provided reassurance that the track and trace team set up within Public Protection Services continued to provide a successful Track and Trace Service and providing the necessary advice and guidance.  The team managed the TTP process in conjunction with regional and Hywel Dda Health Board colleagues.

The Head of Homes and Safer Communities stated that for the week 16^th - 22^nd November 2020, the TTP team had successfully made contact with 89% of the 337 individuals who had received a positive Covid-19 result.  It was reported that the TTP team had experienced difficulties in contacting some individuals as they were not answering phone calls.

A concern was raised that vital information which helps contact tracing was being withheld by the public.  The Executive Board Member for Public Protection acknowledged the concern and stated that the TTP team were doing their utmost to manage the situation in Carmarthenshire.  In addition, it was commented that some employees may intentionally be withholding information in order to avoid having to receive sick pay.  

Concerns were raised in relation the infectious period of Covid-19 and if this information was being properly broadcasted.  The Head of Homes and Safer Communities agreed that in conjunction with Hywel Dda and Public Health Wales the TTP team could deliver clear messages in relation to the infectious period which would help inform members of the public. 

In response to an earlier query, the Head of Homes and Safer Communities reported that he had received confirmation from Public Health Wales that the infectious period of Covid-19 was 10-days and therefore a positive test was likely to be the result during this period.

It was commented that the NHS track and trace app was only downloadable on newer smartphones and therefore concern was raised that there were members of the public may be being overlooked as they were not able to partake in the track and trace.  The Head of Homes and Safer Communities provided reassurance that as the NHS app was a separate entity to the TTP process.  The TTP team make every effort to contact those affected by telephone.

·       In acknowledgement to the additional workload that had been placed upon the Trading Standards department, it was asked if there was scope to employ additional members to cope with the demand.  The Head of Homes and Safer Communities reassured the Committee that an additional 7 employees would be joining the department in the next week which had been funded by the Welsh Government. 

The Committee, together with the Executive Board Member expressed their gratitude to both staff and managers for their commitment in dealing with the most difficult of situations from homelessness, housing management and community engagement through to development and investment the flexibility and adaptability shown was exemplar.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.