Council supplies PPE and sanitiser to other local authorities, prisons and undertakers

Hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves have became increasingly difficult to obtain following a surge in demand during the coronavirus pandemic.

But a report to Cannock Chase Council’s cabinet revealed that the authority had stocked up on sanitiser beforehand. It has also received a donation of 10,000 masks – with the offer of a further 5,000 – from e-commerce firm Super Smart Service Limited, based at Kingswood Lakeside.

The company, which works in partnership with global logistics enterprise Zongteng Group, asked for masks to be distributed to public sector organisations in Lichfield and Walsall. As a result 2,000 were sent to Walsall Council for social care staff and 1,000 were donated to Lichfield District Council to help their Community Vulnerability Hub and the delivery of essential services.

Charles Lu, general manager of Super Smart Service said: “Super Smart Service provides the transit service for household essentials and medical supplies so we have a key role to play.

“As we know, China battled against this virus and has overcome it. The UK is now facing similar challenges and we wanted to show solidarity in the fight against Covid-19.

“The company and our long-term business partner Zongteng Group made this joint donation and wanted to help out local public sector organisations to support their magnificent efforts to support vulnerable people and keep essential services going.”

The offer was welcomed by Cannock Chase Council earlier this month.

Managing Director Tony McGovern said: “At a time when there are supply issues with some personal protective equipment due to high demand, this is an extremely generous donation by Super Smart Service and will directly help to support staff across the public sector who are dealing with very challenging circumstances.

“The masks are ideal for use in the community and some are suitable for NHS clinical settings.”

Diane Tilley, chief executive of Lichfield District Council said: “This is a magnificent gesture by a local company in these challenging times and we are already putting the masks to good use in the community where they are most needed to deliver our key services right now.”

Other public sector organisations were invited to bid for the remaining masks, in a process coordinated by the Staffordshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF).

A report to the April 23 cabinet meeting, which took place via video conference due to current lockdown measures, said: “The council has provided a significant amount of mutual aid support on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to LRF organisations across Staffordshire.

“This was facilitated by a significant donation of 10,000 masks plus a commitment to donate a further 5,000 from Super Smart. The council also stocked up on 70 per cent alcohol gel sanitiser from a local company prior to shortages of this product occurring.

“Most recently, the LRF asked all district and borough councils – and Stoke City Council – to contact all funeral undertakers in their area and check if they had sufficient stocks of single use PPE to protect their staff in handling suspected or confirmed Covid-19 deceased (gloves, aprons, masks and eye protectors). If there are validated problems or gaps in supply, each local authority has been asked to be a supplier of last resort.

“Cannock Chase Council officers have completed this exercise and identified that some undertakers were struggling to get certain items of PPE and these have now been supplied

The council has recently been allocated a stock of PPE by the LRF that was part of a Government allocation for each LRF area. The council has also been allocated 60 FFP3 respirator masks on request by the LRF to be used at Cannock Mortuary.

“The council is required to report on its stock of PPE to the LRF on a weekly basis. The council’s stock of PPE remains robust but is monitored on a regular basis.”