Review launched into Hartlepool's response to the pandemic

A key committee at Hartlepool Borough Council will review and scrutinise actions taken in responding to the coronavirus over the next year.

The Audit and Governance Committee works to scrutinise a variety of issues such as finance, crime and health related topics, and last year antisocial behaviour was selected as the topic for a year long investigation.

Council officers recommended, given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, councillors should this year focus on what was done in response to the coronavirus outbreak and the implementation of the town’s recovery plan.

They noted many similar committees across the Tees Valley and the country are carrying out the same task.

Councillors backed the programme, stating the response from the council and people in the town has been good, but improvements can always be made.

Cllr Marjorie James said: “I think we do need to both look backwards and look at how we move Hartlepool forward.

“We still do need to have that little bit of a look backwards, what’s happened, how it happened, could we have done something differently.

“Can we make sure, if we could have done it differently, if we’re faced with something in the winter months or next year, that we make sure our response is better than it was.

“I think Hartlepool’s response in the main has been good, but good can always be better.”

She added it’s important councillors remain in control of decision making now online council meetings are being scheduled, after decisions were initially made by officers and council leaders under legislative powers at the start of the pandemic.

Cllr Brenda Harrison added areas to look at could include support for vulnerable people, those shielding, and younger people.

She said: “Yes I agree it’s been a good response, but good can always be better.

“I think there is an underlying anxiety, whatever age, whatever situation, how to come out of this and how to support the whole town as we do come out of this planning for the future.”

Cllr Lesley Hamilton added supporting isolated communities and getting the message through to young people are also areas to improve in the future.

She said: “I think we need to look at how we support our isolated communities, should there be a second wave, because I do think there have been people lost inadvertently and we maybe need to channel our energy in supporting those people.

“Also I think really importantly it’s how we get the message out to our young people.

“Some of our young people do think they’re invincible, and I don’t think they join the dots when it comes to infection rates and how it impacts other more vulnerable family members.”

A report will be brought back to the committee when they meet in October with further details on the planned work going forward.

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