Agenda item

7.15pm – Councillor Stephen Cowan moved, seconded by Councillor Sue Fennimore, the special motion in their names:

“This Council recognises Coronavirus COVID-19 is and has been the biggest threat to our residents and our economy in modern times. It recognises that many local people have lost their lives. It sends its profound sympathies to all their loved ones.

The Council thanks all of Hammersmith & Fulham’s residents, community groups, charities, and businesses for coming together to look out for and support others across our borough. The Council thanks with sincere gratitude:

·      Our residents for sticking to the lockdown rules and practicing safety measures that have saved lives and kept people safe

·      Care workers, our NHS, our council staff, and all key workers for their long hours and commitment to keeping people safe

·      The nearly 3000 people who volunteered through H&F CAN and the community aid networks which produced the biggest volunteering operation in the borough since the end of World War II

·      All the people and organisations who gave money, food, and other resources and donated premises which are still being put to good use by the Council and its partners.

The Council supports the administration’s decision to be amongst the first local authorities in the country to move onto an emergency footing, noting that preparation for this began in February and it was formally implemented on 13 March 2020. The Council notes these measures included:

1.    Adopting a people first approach which meant the Council would go onto take all the necessary actions to provide all the necessary resources to help keep people safe and able to cope with this crisis. 

2.    The appointment of a Director of COVID-19 Response to manage the engine room of Hammersmith & Fulham’s operation and coordinate how the Council works with the NHS and other partner organisations and our residents and businesses

3.    The establishment of a Borough Emergency Control Centre (BECC), to increase the Council’s ability to act effectively and with speed. 

4.    Cancellation of all council meetings so council officers could be re-skilled and re-allocated to providing essential services and supporting people and organisations in our community.

The Council notes that the consequence of these actions was that all the borough’s essential services were maintained and performed at a high level of proficiency and the Council was able quickly to develop a series of new essential services which are still supporting people through this crisis.

The Council notes that more than 9,000 residents have been shielding since the official lockdown on 23 March, many of whom went into isolation before then an it recognises how very challenging this is for them and assures them that they will continue to receive the support they need from the Council.

The Council understands why people are worried about the effects COVID-19 and a no-deal Brexit will have on their livelihoods and agrees to do everything it can to get through any form of economic downturn with the minimum harm to our community. It notes that so far, it has:

·      Provided £42m in business grants with the government to support local firms

·      Launched Back West London with the West London Alliance to encourage infrastructure investment and drive a greener, fairer economic recovery

·      Introduced Shop Local Shop Safe to support local retailers

·      Is accelerating life-long cradle-to-retirement employment skills learning - matched to local business needs

·      A first-of-its-kind Industrial Strategy which is more important than ever to attaining its objectives of bringing new jobs and start-up opportunities in STEM industries, and the arts and media so Hammersmith & Fulham becomes a global hotspot in the new world economy.

The Council recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to be with us for some time and there’s every chance of a second wave later this year which we continue to prepare for.

The Council pledges to continue its ‘people first’ approach and do everything possible to keep people safe and rejuvenate our economy.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Stephen Cowan, sue Fennimore, Fiona Smith, Patricia Quigley, Andrew Jones, Guy Vincent and Lisa Homan for the Administration – and Mark Loveday, Amanda Lloyd-Harris, and Andrew Brown for the Opposition.

Councillor Stephen Cowan then made a speech summing up the debate before the special motion was put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

The special motion was declared CARRIED.

8.19pm – RESOLVED

This Council recognises Coronavirus COVID-19 is and has been the biggest threat to our residents and our economy in modern times. It recognises that many local people have lost their lives. It sends its profound sympathies to all their loved ones.

The Council thanks all of Hammersmith & Fulham’s residents, community groups, charities, and businesses for coming together to look out for and support others across our borough. The Council thanks with sincere gratitude:

·      Our residents for sticking to the lockdown rules and practicing safety measures that have saved lives and kept people safe

·      Care workers, our NHS, our council staff, and all key workers for their long hours and commitment to keeping people safe

·      The nearly 3000 people who volunteered through H&F CAN and the community aid networks which produced the biggest volunteering operation in the borough since the end of World War II

·      All the people and organisations who gave money, food, and other resources and donated premises which are still being put to good use by the Council and its partners.

The Council supports the administration’s decision to be amongst the first local authorities in the country to move onto an emergency footing, noting that preparation for this began in February and it was formally implemented on 13 March 2020. The Council notes these measures included:

5.    Adopting a people first approach which meant the Council would go onto take all the necessary actions to provide all the necessary resources to help keep people safe and able to cope with this crisis. 

6.    The appointment of a Director of COVID-19 Response to manage the engine room of Hammersmith & Fulham’s operation and coordinate how the Council works with the NHS and other partner organisations and our residents and businesses

7.    The establishment of a Borough Emergency Control Centre (BECC), to increase the Council’s ability to act effectively and with speed. 

8.    Cancellation of all council meetings so council officers could be re-skilled and re-allocated to providing essential services and supporting people and organisations in our community.

The Council notes that the consequence of these actions was that all the borough’s essential services were maintained and performed at a high level of proficiency and the Council was able quickly to develop a series of new essential services which are still supporting people through this crisis.

The Council notes that more than 9,000 residents have been shielding since the official lockdown on 23 March, many of whom went into isolation before then an it recognises how very challenging this is for them and assures them that they will continue to receive the support they need from the Council.

The Council understands why people are worried about the effects COVID-19 and a no-deal Brexit will have on their livelihoods and agrees to do everything it can to get through any form of economic downturn with the minimum harm to our community. It notes that so far, it has:

·      Provided £42m in business grants with the government to support local firms

·      Launched Back West London with the West London Alliance to encourage infrastructure investment and drive a greener, fairer economic recovery

·      Introduced Shop Local Shop Safe to support local retailers

·      Is accelerating life-long cradle-to-retirement employment skills learning - matched to local business needs

·      A first-of-its-kind Industrial Strategy which is more important than ever to attaining its objectives of bringing new jobs and start-up opportunities in STEM industries, and the arts and media so Hammersmith & Fulham becomes a global hotspot in the new world economy.

The Council recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to be with us for some time and there’s every chance of a second wave later this year which we continue to prepare for.

The Council pledges to continue its ‘people first’ approach and do everything possible to keep people safe and rejuvenate our economy.