Minutes:
The Mayor addressed the meeting in relation to Storm Christoph, and he expressed his thanks to everyone involved in the preparatory work that had recently been undertaken. The MCA was grateful for the herculean effort of more than 600 staff from across the four South Yorkshire local authorities together with South Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, local residents and the communities to reduce the threat to life and property following the multiple flood warnings that had been in place across South Yorkshire. The MCA would continue to support this important work in every possible way. The Mayor and the Leaders of the local authorities were determined to continue their work to secure the investment which would help to prevent a repeat of the devastating scenes that had occurred in the hugely damaging floods that had battered South Yorkshire in November 2019.
Members noted the emergency efforts had taken place during the ever-present dangers of Covid-19. Schools had closed to all but the vulnerable children and those of essential workers, many businesses had been forced to close and health services had been stretched to the very limit. This was a situation that would remain for the foreseeable future and required everyone to do all that they could by staying at home and to keep safe. At the moment, in comparison to some other parts of the country South Yorkshire was faring better in terms of infection rates, although South Yorkshire’s rates remained too high with significant pressures on its hospitals. It was imperative to remain on guard and stay vigilant.
The Mayor was conscious of the public servants and key workers that continued to put themselves at risk, who were working harder than ever to deliver day in and day out for the good of the communities, including those working for the NHS, social care, supermarkets, local shop staff, bus, tram, train and delivery drivers. On behalf of the MCA, the Mayor offered his thanks and gratitude for all of their continued efforts. In order to make their hard work count, the Mayor urged the residents of South Yorkshire to stay at home, to follow the rules that were in place, and to stay safe in order to lower the infection and hospitalisation rates.
The MCA was working hard to provide its own £30m business support package, which would make a difference and help to keep the businesses of South Yorkshire afloat so that they would be ready to grow again following the emergence from the crisis; further support would be needed. It was important that the Government implemented the correct support and provided the MCA and the local authorities with the necessary tools required to rebuild the economy. A detailed funding strategy was required from the Government for the levelling up.
In advance of the March 2021 Budget, the Mayor had made representations to the Chancellor to set out the support required in South Yorkshire. The Government would continue to be pressed at every opportunity.