1. Context
1.1
The national Test and Trace Service is designed to control the rate
of reproduction of Covid-19, reduce the spread of the infection and
save lives. Its aim is to help to
return life to as normal as possible, for as many people and
businesses as possible, in a way that is safe, protects the health
and care systems as well as supporting the economy.
1.2
Devon County Council has been designated one of England’s 11
Beacon Councils by Government to lead the implementation of new
Covid-19 Local Outbreak Management Plans, including the
identification and management of COVID-19 outbreaks.
1.3
This is a national programme, but the response will be brought
together at Local Authority level under the leadership of the
Director of Public Health to ensure a community focus and
appropriately tailored response. This will be based on science and
data and the prevention, containment and isolation of the
virus.
1.4
Local authorities must work with partners to put in place measures
to prevent, identify and contain outbreaks and protect the
public’s health, using local knowledge to target resources
and improve the speed and co-ordination of any response to local
flare ups of the infection.
1.5
The Plan requires a public-facing board led by The Leader of the
Council and other key stakeholders to communicate openly, honestly
and transparently with the public. This is Team Devon’s Local
Outbreak Engagement Board (LOEB) who will lead the
engagement with local communities and businesses and be the public
face and voice of the local response for both prevention and
containment in the event of an outbreak.
2. Purpose
2.1
Provide political ownership and public-facing engagement and
communication for both prevention and outbreak
responses.
3. Role and Responsibilities
3.1
The Team Devon LOEB will be responsible for:
·
Political oversight
of the local delivery of the Local Outbreak
Management Plan;
·
Communicating and engaging with residents
and community leaders, providing community direction and leadership
for prevention and outbreak response, especially with vulnerable
and/or higher risk communities of interest;
·
Addressing misinformation;
·
Endorsing the Communications Strategy for
the Local Outbreak Management Plan; and
·
Local political liaison with
Ministers.
·
Reviewing and communicating such other
matters relating to Coronavirus as they arise in line with
Government policy.
3.2
This Board must maintain close liaison with the Devon and Torbay
COVID-19 Health Protection Board.
4. Principles
4.1
The Board will communicate those key messages in the best interests
of Devon’s residents, communities and businesses, based upon
the science, evidence and data considered by the Health Protection
Board, recognising the unique geography of Devon.
4.2 To
work in an open and transparent way to ensure no surprises for
other partners and provide reassurance to residents.
5. Chair
5.1
The Leader of the County Council (Councillor Hart) will be the
chair of the Team Devon (Local Outbreak Engagement
Board).
5.2
The Deputy Chair will be the Chair of the Devon Health and
Wellbeing Board (Councillor Leadbetter).
6. Membership
6.1
The Board membership will can be seen on the Membership details of
the Committee:
6.2
The Membership of the Board is very much based on a ‘hub and
spoke model’, with the members above being responsible for
the dissemination of key messages through relevant channels,
utilising existing networks where appropriate and / or developing
new ones where needed.
7. Team
Devon (Local Outbreak Engagement Board) Support
7.1
Devon County Council’s Democratic services team will be
responsible for any administrative arrangements required for the
Team Devon (Local Outbreak Engagement Board).
7.2
This may involve, but not exclusively, setting up meetings /
events, distribution of any relevant paperwork, dissemination of
information, ensuring relevant actions are carried out and
appropriate liaison with the Communications Team.
7.3
The County Council’s Communications Team (Head of
Communications and Media), will lead on strategic and operational
communications, in close liaison with the Director of Public
Health, Devon County Council’s Chief Executive, and give
advice to the Team Devon Local Outbreak Engagement
Board.
8. Frequency
8.1
The Board will initially convene fortnightly, although this
frequency will be kept under review.
8.2 As
outlined in the Communications Strategy, whilst the Leader will use
best endeavours to convene the full Board, there may be occasions
or circumstances that require a rapid approval and deployment of
communications and the Leader may use his discretion to sign off
communications or engage a smaller membership of the
Board.