Agenda item

To receive an update on current and forthcoming issues from Stuart Love, Chief Executive of the Council.

4.1       The Commission received an update report from the Chief Executive, Stuart Love, who responded to questions on the following topics:

•           the current vaccine rollout in Westminster. Over 80% of adults over 70 and 55% of adults over 18 had been vaccinated. Stuart Love confirmed that there was a focus on improving Westminster’s positioning in the overall league table. Additional services such as pop-up vaccination sites in local pharmacies and a roaming vaccination bus were welcomed as positive developments.

•           the forward plans that the NHS had for the future of the vaccine rollout, and what campaigns or efforts were in store to increase the numbers of vaccinations given in Westminster.

•           the vaccination bus, including what vaccinations were on offer from the bus.

•           the long-term implications of the data that the Council had in hand regarding vaccinations and the process of cleansing and itemising this data.

•           the work that the Council had done to deliver the Al Fresco dining scheme in Westminster.

•           the contingency plans for the Full Council meeting in September, regardless of central Government plans to re-open the nation in July, in case COVID-19 restrictions were implemented again before that date. The Commission was pleased to hear that the Council was working closely with the London Business School so that it could enable a hybrid style of meeting for Full Council in September.

•           the unemployment rate in Westminster, and in particular youth unemployment. The Commission noted that benefit claimants had trebled since last year, but that Westminster was lowest with regards to claimant count in London. There were also issues around unemployment recovery around the 50+ age group. The Commission was informed about the supported employment approach which was Westminster’s focus, and the inclusive recruitment and employment policy being adopted by the Council.

•           the potential need for a vaccine booster campaign in the Autumn, and if the Council had plans in place for this eventuality.

•           the issues around football fans and litter in Leicester Square and the West End. The Commission was relieved to know that efforts were being made to claim compensation from UEFA and/or the Scottish Football Association, meaning that residents would foot less of the bill for the cleaning efforts, which were undertaken to an extremely high standard in short order.

•           the Commission was pleased to hear that given the successes of the Westminster Connects programme, it had now been made part of the service offer of the Council and would function in support of residents and local communities going forward.

•           the Oxford Street District project and the Marble Arch Mound. The Commission was informed that the Council was aligning itself with the Great Estates and other key stakeholders and had liaised with businesses in the area directly to support them.

•           the increase in numbers of City Inspectors and the need for increased resource in general, particularly over the summer months.

•           the Commission was advised that more information would be provided on traffic control and the continued flow of regular traffic during the works in the Oxford Street District.

4.2       The Commission noted its thanks to Councillor Lorraine Dean for her hard work, particularly in the area of supported employment.

4.3       RESOLVED: that the Committee note the report by the Chief Executive.