A roadmap to recovery
Councils will continue to do all they can to support the Government’s plans for tackling COVID-19 and reducing restrictions.
Councillor James Jamieson
A terrible toll
As first was going to press, it was confirmed that more than 100,000 people across the country had died within 28 days of a COVID-19 test – just over a year since the first two official cases were recorded in the UK.
New year, new challenges
The end of the EU transition period is adding to the pressures on councils as they continue to battle the pandemic.
Testing, tiers and firebreaks
It has been another busy and challenging month for all the councillors and officers responding to the rise in COVID-19 infections across the country, and those involved in negotiations with the Government regarding local and regional restrictions and wider general support for councils.
Building communities
The Government has an ambitious target of building 300,000 homes a year. While these homes are much needed in many areas, the fundamental importance of building communities is often forgotten.
Making progress on devolution
Away from COVID-19, the future of the Union and devolution within it made some news headlines recently, with new polling showing increased support for Scottish independence and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown setting out his thoughts on the issues.
Showing leadership in uncertain times
It’s been yet another period of rapid developments affecting local government, and I was reminded once again of the phenomenal work that councils have been delivering for months on end, in some of the most uncertain times many of us have ever known.
The importance of place
As first was going to press, the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was being administered for the first time in the UK.
Time to look ahead
Perhaps it was inevitable that this year’s government review of public spending would get downgraded from a comprehensive, three-year plan to the one-year Spending Review Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered last month.
Bracing for a second wave
Councils and councillors continue to work tirelessly to support residents and local businesses through the pandemic.