This month we looked at the response to the Covid-19 pandemic by town and parish councils and voluntary bodies such as the Red Cross.  We were looking for organisational and communication issues and initial lessons that could be learnt. 

The Collaborative Communities COVID-19 Board network was used to coordinate volunteer efforts across Suffolk, largely centred on Community Emergency Planning Groups.  The Suffolk Resilience Forum network was also used.  Utilising existing networks and relationships was a highly effective tactic. 

However, several groups felt communication was flawed with great volume that overwhelmed them.  On some critical issues like DBS checks and liability insurance they received contradictory advice or instructions.

We had a presentation by Great Barton’s emergency response team. It was certainly well organised by an individual with clear ideas and a grasp of the need to ensure volunteers had the right skills and could be relied on to respond.  SALC gave an overview of their efforts with town and parish councils. Lowestoft Town Council, a new body, pointed out that the need to respond to flood events gave them good practice.  Woolpit were very aware of pandemic risk as they had a doctor involved and their plans recognised the problems involved.

There were differing views on the Tribe App:  great for attracting and organising volunteers or useless?  

Training, currently to emergency planning groups will be rolled out on a wider basis.