Happier times ahead after year of perseverance

It’s still Christmas. Just as we thought this year couldn’t get any worse, the new strain of SARSCOV-2 was identified. Whilst this news vindicated the lockdown actions of many of our residents and businesses who have sacrificed so much this year, it was certainly not welcome. Its implications for Christmas, the time of year we’d all been pinning our hopes on for having some sort of normality to it in order for us to both rest and rejoice, are severe.

The implications for our district council are no less daunting. Despite vanishing income meaning we’re racing through our reserves at an alarming rate, council officers continue their relentless and dedicated work to get vital financial aid out and keep services running not just in the face of coronavirus but also as we leave the EU.

This Christmas more than any I can remember is truly one for giving thanks, remembering those less fortunate than ourselves and, even with our ability to see family and friends greatly reduced, being grateful for those we can have close to us.

If there’s one thing that I’ll be celebrating this year it’ll be the incredible strength and resolve of all of us in not just persevering with the challenges that 2020 has launched at us, but excelling. Excelling in care, in science and in our very human nature that has helped get each other through.

2021 holds much promise. Vaccinating our way out of the pandemic. Making our way in the world outside of the European Union. Rebuilding our economy, our livelihoods and our relationships with those we’ve been kept apart from. Happier times are coming, and even though there’s unimaginable amounts of hard work to be done before we get to them I hope that, wherever you are this Christmas and however you’re keeping in touch with those you love, that you still find those reasons to be merry and celebrate the many wonderful things that we all are.

Merry Christmas, and here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year for all.

‘If there’s one thing I’ll be celebrating this year, it’ll be the incredible strength and resolve of all of us in not just persevering, but excelling’