Decision details

Proposed Decision

To approve the procurement and set up arrangements for a Temporary Place of Rest should it be needed as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

KCC has a statutory responsibility under the Civil Contingency Act 2004 to take the lead on behalf of the Kent Resilience Forum in responding to humanitarian impacts that result from an emergency. As part of the continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in light of the new Omicron Variant, latest modelling, the rising absenteeism of frontline hospital staff and other routine winter pressures, the multi-agency partners of the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) of which KCC has a lead role, have decided to initiate preparations to set up the Aylesford Temporary Place of Rest in case it is needed

As Leader of the Council, I agree to:

Approve the procurement and setup arrangements for a Temporary Place of Rest should it be needed as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This approval includes agreement;

I.    to approve up to £1 million from the Emergency Covid reserve to support the procurement and management of the temporary site to provide additional capacity for Kent and Medway at one location, should it be needed, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.              Such solutions shall include, but not be limited solely to, site preparation, installation of temporary structure and equipment, management of the site, security and access control, facility management, ICT and technical systems support, mortuary storage management, transportation and traffic management services to and from the location, demobilisation and site clearance including any decontamination; management and staffing; and

II.   to delegate authority under the Scheme of Officer Delegations to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Corporate Director for Finance and the Monitoring Officer, to take relevant actions, including but not limited to entering into contracts and other legal agreements required to ensure the effective operation and delivery of the increased mortuary capacity, as necessary to implement this decision; and

III.  to delegate authority under the Scheme of Officer Delegations to the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Leader, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, the Corporate Director for Finance, the monitoring officer and the Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport to direct the use of KCC land and to enable the provision and operation of the mortuary capacity, and take other appropriate actions in relation to Property Management and Infrastructure activity, necessary to implement this decision.