Issue - meetings

Cabinet, at its meeting on 2 October 2020, will consider a report on the  delegation of functions granted to Oxfordshire County Council under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restriction) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020 that give local authorities powers relating to the control and prevention of coronavirus.

The report, which Cabinet will consider on 2 October 2020, is attached.

Cabinet’s recommendations will be circulated to all councillors.

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendations, made at its meeting on 2 October 2020, on the  delegation of functions granted to Oxfordshire County Council under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restriction) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020 that give local authorities powers relating to the control and prevention of coronavirus.

RESOLVED to:

1.    accept the delegation of functions from Oxfordshire County Council to enable Vale of White Horse District Council to carry out the enforcement actions detailed in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restriction) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020; 

2.    authorise the head of legal and democratic to enter into all necessary contracts and agreements to implement the delivery of the enforcement actions on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020; 

3.    authorise the head of legal and democratic to enter into all necessary contracts and agreements to implement the delivery of the enforcement actions on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council for any further period for which The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020may be extended by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and any enforcement actions which Oxfordshire County Council may delegate to the council in pursuance of any other provision (whether by statute, regulation or direction) by which The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 may be replaced, amended or supplemented; 

4.    authorise the head of housing and environment to perform the enforcement actions set out in any such agreements referred to (1) to (3) above, and to authorise other officers to exercise any of these actions. 

To consider the head of legal and democratic’s report. 

Cabinet considered the head of legal and democratic’s report.  This set out a proposal to accept the delegation of functions granted to Oxfordshire County Council under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restriction) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020, that gave councils powers relating to the control and prevention of coronavirus.  With the support of district council officers, Oxfordshire County Council had decided to delegate these functions to the district councils, adding to this council’s existing powers. 

The Cabinet member recommended that the council took on these additional powers.  Cabinet agreed also, as local control would be more effective.  Environmental health officers would have a full range of health protection powers.  The delegation arrangements from the county council would be effected through an agency agreement.  It was noted that the council would be able to bid for funding to the Health Protection Board to fully cover the costs of taking on the new powers. 

RECOMMENDED: to Council on 7 October 2020 to:

(a)      accept the delegation of functions from Oxfordshire County Council to enable Vale of White Horse District Council to carry out the enforcement actions detailed in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restriction) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020; 

(b)      authorise the head of legal and democratic to enter into all necessary contracts and agreements to implement the delivery of the enforcement actions on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020; 

(c)       authorise the head of legal and democratic to enter into all necessary contracts and agreements to implement the delivery of the enforcement actions on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council for any further period for which The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020may be extended by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and any enforcement actions which Oxfordshire County Council may delegate to the council in pursuance of any other provision (whether by statute, regulation or direction) by which The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 may be replaced, amended or supplemented; and

(d)      authorise the head of housing and environment to perform the enforcement actions set out in any such agreements referred to (a) to (c) above, and to authorise other officers to exercise any of these actions.