Report No: 154/2020

a)      Cabinet noted the present position in Rutland in respect of COVID 19

b)      Cabinet noted the continued applicability of the Civil Emergency Delegation

Additional Recommendation:

c)      Cabinet requested that the Interim Chief Executive use his urgency powers to approve the making of 2 hours of free parking applicable in both Oakham and Uppingham over the Christmas period.  

The Leader elaborated on the report and explained that the current Covid situation meant that there was a real need to prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.

The Interim Chief Executive explained that currently up until the 6^th November 2020 the figures for Rutland’s infection rates were 128 per 100,000 of the population which was a slight reduction on the previous week. Since the announcement of the second lockdown, there had been additional work needed including the business grant funding having been launched and preparation work for the exiting of lockdown was being undertaken. It was noted that under the urgency provisions only 3 decisions had been made and Councillor Hemsley, with the support of Cabinet, asked that the Chief Executive use his emergency powers to approve the free parking for up to 2 hours across the County for December.  The Leader explained that other group leaders had been consulted on this matter and were supportive of the proposal.

In response to questions asked, it was reported that the police had issued fines to people not complying with lockdown rules. Increased cases in some areas could be attributed to a whole family being infected and that some settings had been affected more, which was in part due to the population density. It was noted that there were bed pressures at both Peterborough Hospital and the University Hospital of Leicester had very little capacity.

RESOLVED:

a)     That the present position in Rutland in respect of COVID 19 be noted

b)     That the continued applicability of the Civil Emergency Delegation be noted

Additional Recommendation:

c)     That the Interim Chief Executive use his urgency powers to approve the making of 2 hours of free parking applicable in both Oakham and Uppingham over the Christmas period.