An emergency response team last used during the Finsbury Park terror attack is being prepared by Islington Council to manage the “worst case scenario” of the coronavirus outbreak.
Following the government’s gradual expansion of social distancing measures this week, a small team of officers — separate from “normal departmental work” — is being prepared to man computers and phones, as plans are drawn up to ensure that transport and social services are able to continue running.
Labour councillor Angela Picknell told Islington Now that such a team is, “of course always ready in the event of a major incident”.
“In the present situation, the [emergency response team’s] focus is to keep the council’s responsibilities fulfilled and essential services running, and to respond to critical need in the event that many officers and council workers should be ill or self-isolating,” she said.
Depending on the severity of the situation, a “lead officer” will be forced to “decide on priorities and action necessary,” she added.
Asked on Monday about the safety of councillors and other workers in light of social distancing advice, Councillor Picknell, who represents St Mary’s ward, said that the Leader of the Council, Richard Watts, and other executive members were still “meeting regularly with officers, employee unions and emergency services to respond to and review information and advice as it comes”.
But she added that regular council committees and meetings are “under review in response to advice about social distancing”.
However, Labour councillor Alice Perry, who represents St Peter’s ward, questioned whether councillors should be going to work, tweeting: “Half of Councillors are over 65. Many younger Councillors have health conditions that make them higher risk for #COVID19. Certain Council meetings do need to go ahead (at least for now), but can we please start using technology more to reduce the risk [to] the public and each other?”
London Assembly Member Caroline Russell, and Green Party councillor for Highbury East, agreed and tweeted: “The tech exists and would allow people self isolating (who are well) to participate in democratic process and live-streaming of virtual council meetings would allow public scrutiny too.”
Councillor Picknell updated Islington Now yesterday saying: “Most meetings are [now] postponed and … we’ll shortly have the technology for members, officers, and as far as possible and relevant, the public to take part remotely [in meetings].”
“Those meetings that will take place will be in large spaces where there’s plenty of room to distance,” she added.
Face-to-face advice surgeries for ward constituents have also been cancelled until further notice.
