Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The Council passed a motion on 16 July 2020 in support of Black Lives Matter. One of the actions identified in the motion was to: “Request from the Director of Public Health a report on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on BAME communities in Cambridge by the end of 2020, to be reviewed in the Environment and Community scrutiny committee, and shared with BAME community representatives.” The report from Public Health is attached as Appendix A to the Officer’s report.

In addition, the Officer’s report provided details around how Cambridge City Council has been supporting Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, especially relating to sharing Public Health messaging through community leaders.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

Noted the content of the Officer’s report and Appendix A.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Equality & Anti-Poverty Officer.

The Director of Public Health said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          Public Health see vaccination take-up as a key priority in overall control of Covid and are offering support to the NHS that is leading on the vaccination work.

     ii.          There is indication of vaccination hesitance for different groups in the community, especially some BAME groups.

   iii.          Since the start of the pandemic, Public Health has worked closely with the network of district and city councils across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to develop links with a range of community leaders trusted by different ethnic minority communities. Where there have been updates to Public Health messaging this has been co-produced with residents. For instance, there have been video blogs produced in different languages and read by community leaders.

   iv.          Referred the committee to weekly Covid-19 Gold Group updates on the Covid situation in the city. Suggested councillors liaised with the Strategic Director (who sat on Covid Gold Group) and council officers to pass on ‘soft’ data on how best can work together to help engage different communities in the take-up of vaccinations.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.