Thoughts of council leader...

THE leader of Charnwood Borough Council, Coun Jonathan Morgan, has shared his thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic and how the council is helping to tackle the situation.

THE coronavirus pandemic has changed the world in just a few short weeks.

Thousands of people have lost their lives to the virus in the UK. Many more have risked their own lives to save or care for others and public services have been forced to adapt rapidly to ensure critical services continued to operate.

One of the few positives has been the way people and communities have supported and cared for each other.

Charnwood has felt the full effects of the pandemic. Tragically, people in our communities will have died from the virus and many will have suffered with it.

Social distancing has forced people to stay at home for many weeks, businesses have closed, streets have been empty, events have been cancelled or postponed and the borough has been at a standstill.

The immediate crisis is far from over, but we must already begin the process of rebuilding our communities and our local economy.

Charnwood Borough Council is committed to leading the recovery of our borough, working with residents, partners, businesses, town and parish councils, local and regional organisations and Government.

By working together we can build a stronger Charnwood. We must harness the community spirit shown in all areas of the borough and use that energy to bring about positive change and improvement in Charnwood.

We must help our businesses rebuild and adapt to this different world. High streets will need to work differently for a considerable time and may never be the same again.

For many businesses, operating virtually has already become the new normal and demonstrated many benefits for the environment, with less travelling, and an improved work-life balance.

The council has also adapted rapidly to ensure we continued supporting residents and kept critical services operating. Most staff have moved from being office-based to working remotely, with little change to services and allowing support to continue for colleagues who remain on the frontline and in our communities.

While there must be some time for reflection on the toll the pandemic has taken on our communities, there is a need to begin the rebuilding process.

It is up to all of us to work together to get our communities and businesses back on their feet. We must build a stronger future, together.

Jonathan Morgan Charnwood Borough Council leader.