Decision details

RESOLVED:

1.         That Cabinet ask officers to consider, if feasible, the following initial recommendations of the Corporate Services & Partnerships Policy Overview Committee which relate to their review into the effects of a pandemic in Hillingdon and the effects on Council services:

a)   That a skills and knowledge audit be undertaken of the Council’s workforce to build up a computerised database. This information to include details about staff who have been vaccinated against the swine flu virus, those who have had swine flu, those with children and childcare responsibilities, those staff who were front line staff and those that come into contact with the public.

b) That enhancements be considered to the Council’s Constitution to provide further contingency arrangements for the decision making processes of the Council, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

c)   In order to mitigate the impact of a major pandemic, officers ensure that business and continuity plans are in place at all educational and care establishments operating within the borough. This includes but is not limited to playgroups, nurseries, schools, further education and higher education establishments as well as social care homes.

2.         That progress on implementing the above is reported back to Cabinet as and when the Policy Overview Committee submits its final report.

Reasons for decision

The Committee’s review was undertaken to ensure that the Council had business continuity plans in place to ensure that there would minimum disruption to the Council’s services in the event of a major pandemic. The interim report contained recommendations which could be considered by Officers to enable the Council to be prepared for a possible increase in the number of staff affected by the swine flu pandemic   

Alternative options considered and rejected

The alternative option would have been not to consider any recommendations on improving business continuity for the potential increase in the numbers affected by the swine flu pandemic.

Officer to Action:

Khalid Ahmed, Democratic Services, Deputy Chief Executive’s Office