Whether you live in my ward Greenhill, elsewhere in Herne Bay or anywhere in the Canterbury district, I am updating you as local Councillor on the support that the Council can provide to you.
The first thing to say is that although Council meetings have been postponed indefinitely to help halt the spread of the virus, the Council continues to operate its critical front-line services which local residents depend upon. That is not to say that there are no changes. For instance, we have paused collection of green bins so that we can ensure all household rubbish and dry recycling continues to be collected as normal, despite a reduced workforce.
In addition to regular services, the Council has set up an officer team, supported by our fantastic team of local volunteers, to provide help to the vulnerable. This includes the delivery of food parcels and prescriptions to those self-isolating and unable to leave home. If you or someone you know needs such help, please do contact us at the following link:
https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/help
In fact, there is a range of help provided by the Council to residents and businesses struggling with the impact of this terrible disease and the lockdown it has necessitated, so please do visit the Council site at https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information.
Nationally, the Government is working hard to contain Covid-19, while ensuring firms and workers are supported through this severe economic downturn. Canterbury Council recognises the need to support our local economy and that is why we are currently evaluating options for restoring planning meetings and other decision-making forums. There will be more news on this in due course.
On a personal note, I am still responding to all casework received from residents by phone, email and social media, so do feel free to reach out to me if you need any help. I’m also continuing to progress the work I lead as the Chair of our Climate Change Working Group, since the Climate Crisis will still be upon us when we get beyond the current public health challenge, and I am determined that we hit our target for Canterbury Council to be carbon net-zero by 2030.
Finally, I hope you manage to keep safe and well in the coming months and please do remember to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.