Decision details

To seek agreement to:

1.    assume responsibilities granted under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restriction) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020 giving local authorities powers relating to the control and prevention of coronavirus; and

2.    delegate powers to the City and District Councils in accordance with the above regulations.

Joint Responsibilities: Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health

In July 2020 the government introduced new powers for local authorities to support local outbreak management.

Cabinet considered a report recommending that Oxfordshire County Council assumes responsibilities under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restriction) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020 in order to ensure that any serious and imminent threat to public health in Oxfordshire was necessarily and proportionately addressed.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Deputy Leader of the Council, in moving the recommendations highlighted that this was a joint responsibility between herself and Councillor Stratford as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health. Councillor Heathcoat introduced the contents of the report. A Health Protection Board had been set up to oversee the development and delivery of the Oxfordshire Covid 19 Local Outbreak Control Plan commenting that it was an exemplar of good local collaboration and would ensure a co-ordinated response that was so important to Oxfordshire communities.

Councillor Stratford stressed that the proposals were essential. He welcomed the overarching role for the County Council but working with local District Council and parishes with the local knowledge and approach an important factor in a successful approach to any local outbreak.

During discussion Cabinet welcomed the recommendations and the joint approach being taken. Councillor Corkin, Cabinet Member for Council Business & Partnerships commented that using local knowledge at all levels would be important in a bid to bring the most and appropriate effective but lightest of touches to avoid heavy local restrictions.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)          assume responsibilities granted under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restriction) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020 giving local authorities powers relating to the control and prevention of coronavirus and;

(b)          delegate powers to the City and District Councils in accordance with the above regulations.