Questions Submitted Under Council Procedure Rule 10
(i) Councillor Brown to Councillor Brunel-Walker, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration
What support is the Council giving to local businesses preparing for the January 1st withdrawal from the EU?
(ii) Councillor Temperton to Councillor Dr Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning
It has been reported that Nationally 80% of Young Carers feel isolated. It is said many, who look after a parent or help care for siblings, face the risk of mental health problems.
How many known Young Carers are the in Bracknell Forest and what support is being given to them?
Minutes:
i) Councillor Brown asked Councillor Brunel-Walker, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration the following published question:
What support is the Council giving to local businesses preparing for the January 1st withdrawal from the EU?
In response Councillor Brunel-Walker stated that the Council continued to provide support to businesses through a number of channels and this would continue into 2021 having regard to any further legislation and guidance issued by the Government. He advised that information published by central government in relation to the EU Exit was available through the council’s website on the Business Information pages. He added that the Council was working closely with the Thames Valley Berkshire Growth Hub who managed enquires and provided advice. He explained that the Council was also promoting relevant webinars and events through other partner organisations including Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Business and the Bracknell Business Improvement District. He concluded that specific advice and assistance was also being provided by the Public Protection Partnership and information was updated as new guidance became available.
Councillor Brown asked a supplementary question whether as a local business itself the Council had done all it could to maintain a stable workforce including its subcontractors. Councillor Brunel-Walker referred to the work undertaken by the human resources team to identify those impacted by the changes. Councillor Bettison provided an assurance that the Council had made considerable efforts to ensure that the support provided to our own directly employed staff would also be applied to those employed through subcontractors.
ii) Councillor Temperton asked Councillor Dr Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning the following published question:
It has been reported that Nationally 80% of Young Carers feel isolated. It is said many, who look after a parent or help care for siblings, face the risk of mental health problems.
How many known Young Carers are the in Bracknell Forest and what support is being given to them?
In response Councillor Dr Barnard stated that as of 31 October 2020 there were 131young carers recorded in Bracknell Forest. He stated the age breakdown of those carers as below asking that it be noted that in the under 10 category it included siblings of young carers.
|
Age of Young Carer |
Total |
|
Under 10s |
20 |
|
10 |
10 |
|
11 |
11 |
|
12 |
7 |
|
13 |
7 |
|
14 |
9 |
|
15 |
25 |
|
16 |
21 |
|
17 |
21 |
|
Total |
131 |
He explained that during the initial lockdown phase the Early Help service made weekly telephone contact young carers and their families to identify their specific support needs and practical help was offered such as securing grocery delivery slots. He added that letters were written to families recorded as having young carers which invited them to contact the Youth Team directly to review their care needs. He stated that this work continued in the current lockdown arrangements through both the young carer’s link and Early Help practitioners in the family hubs.
Councillor Dr Barnard explained that a Young Carers Strategy Group had ... view the full minutes text for item 34