Agenda item

(Strategic Projects) To consider the attached report (C-036-2019-20).

(1)        That the Leadership Team’s recommendation to continue the current Christmas/New Year arrangements for the period 2020-22, in accordance with the Schedule at Appendix 1 of the report, was agreed by the Leader of Council under Appendix 3 (Action in Designated Emergencies) of Article 7 (The Executive) of the Constitution on 1 April 2020 be noted; and

(2)        That a review of service provision across the Council be undertaken in 2021.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Projects, Cllr A Lion, presented a report on the Christmas / New Year arrangements for the period 2020 – 22, which had originally been considered at the Group Leaders meeting on 1 April 2020.

Cllr A Lion reminded the Cabinet that for the past 18 years the Council had closed a number of Council buildings during the Christmas and New Year period. The closure of buildings was facilitated by fixing the 2 statutory days, accounting for the bank holidays and, where necessary, the Council giving an additional day(s) of annual leave to Staff. However, Council services continued to be provided during this period using a range of methods for our residents to contact us. The Council operated a website whereby our residents could access a range of information, they could request and pay for services and they could report issues within the District. In addition, an out-of-hours service was in place so that residents could speak to a individual to report an emergency issue. Outside of the Public/Bank Holidays, our Waste team was at work as were our Scheme Managers and North Weald Airfield (NWA).

Cllr A Lion reported that consultation had taken place with Service Managers and the Leadership Team about the impact of these Christmas/New Year arrangements on service provision to determine whether this would have a detrimental impact on service users.  Service Managers, supported by the Leadership Team, were of the view that because of the continuing lower demand for services over this period, the most efficient way to meet this demand was by signposting the public to services rather than opening the Council offices. All essential services were covered either by the out of hours contact centre or specific staff on call over the period. Leadership Team supported the continuation of the arrangements for the next two years. 

The Cabinet noted that the refurbishment of the main Civic Offices would have just been completed in December 2020, During 2021, there were likely to be additional services provided from this building and it was proposed that a review be undertaken, informed by a Customer Survey to be carried out in the coming months, to assess customer requirements regarding service provision. This review would encompass opening times throughout the year, including the Christmas/New Year period.

            Decision:

(1)        That the Leadership Team’s recommendation to continue the current Christmas/New Year arrangements for the period 2020-22, in accordance with the Schedule at Appendix 1 of the report, was agreed by the Leader of Council under Appendix 3 (Action in Designated Emergencies) of Article 7 (The Executive) of the Constitution on 1 April 2020 be noted; and

(2)        That a review of service provision across the Council be undertaken in 2021.

Reasons for Decision:

Previous consultation with employees had showed that 97% of respondents wished the current arrangements for the Council over the Christmas/New Year period to be continued. There were a range of ways our residents could access Council services during the Christmas / New Year period which did not require our buildings to be open.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

To substitute other arrangements or decide to not continue with the current arrangements.