Political leaders unite to form coronavirus ‘war cabinet’
‘GOLD TEAM’ MASTERMINDS RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS
SENIOR figures on Kirklees Council have formed a “gold team” to drive operational matters across the borough during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The leaders of the five main groups on the council - Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Independents - are also involved to oversee decisions.
The council established its new project team in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It includes the pre-existing Leading Members’ Team, now renamed the Public Health Emergency Advisory Group.
As well as focusing on the current situation it is looking ahead to the period after the lockdown is over with an eye on health, business and the local economy.
Heading the gold team is chief executive Jacqui Gedman aided by key officers.
Overseeing are leaders of the political groups: Shabir Pandor and Peter McBride (Labour), David Hall (Conservative), John Lawson and Andrew Marchington (Lib Dems), Andrew Cooper (Greens) and Charles Greaves (Independents).
Weekly meetings have considered emergency planning and how the council will operate at local level in conjunction with guidelines laid down by central government.
They are operating under social distancing rules with chairs but no tables and key personnel spread out around a large room.
The Independents’ Clr Charles Greaves (Holme Valley North) said the meetings were crucial to allow Ms Gedman and her staff to focus on formulating an immediate response to the crisis.
He likened the joint team to a “war cabinet” and added: “There’s a lot to be done. I want group leaders to be standing behind senior staff as they figure out what they are doing.
“They need to be given the space to do that but with oversight, which is what the leaders provide.”
He said: “At the moment there are parallels with 1940. It feels like we are in a phoney war.
“Despite the measures announced by the Government some people think nothing has changed.
“Eighty years ago this was a country when people were used to being told what to do. But at the time of Dunkirk they had had months to prepare.
“We are measuring it in days. It’s now started to feel real.”