Coun Barbara Ashworth
Mayor of Rossendale
ONCE again it has been a very quiet month since my last column, for obvious reasons.
We are now beginning to see lockdown restrictions being lifted but I am hoping this doesn’t lead to complacency and carelessness.
Social distancing is still expected but as people return to work, it seems that spikes in new cases are being seen not just here in the UK but around the world.
Couple this with the relaxation in hospitality venues such as pubs, bars and restaurants, then there is a worry that some people will become blasé.
Rossendale has done so well with low numbers of cases; we don’t want to spoil it now.
We have all had to adapt to new ways of carrying on “business as usual” at the Council, both Elected Members and staff.
I think it is a credit to the staff who have adapted very quickly to working remotely and have facilitated Council meetings being able to continue safely.
Other, more hands on staff, such as the Operations Team, have had to carry on as normal and I think have done a brilliant job in keeping services running.
Rossendale Connected is the Council’s response to the Covid crisis and I must praise the dedication of staff and volunteers involved in ensuring residents have had access to services such as prescription collection and food shopping.
It is such a pity that in certain specific locations, members of the public have seen fit to fly tip and create more work for the Council and the Pride Groups.
In particular I am incensed at the continual dumping of unwanted goods outside charity shops which are clearly not open yet or who have no further capacity to take more stock.
Traditionally we as a Council have celebrated Armed Forces Week in June where the Mayor raises the flag in the Memorial Garden at St Mary’s Church, Rawtenstall, accompanied by a service attended by other civic dignitaries and representatives of the armed forces community.
This year an officer of the Council did raise the flag as usual and I recorded a short video speech along with readings which was shown on the Council’s website and Social Media pages.
I’m sure next year we will be back to normal.
Finally, as groups and organisations are starting to look and plan ahead, we are seeing some tentative invitations coming through for the Mayor’s attendance. This is heartening and I hope a sign of better times ahead. Please keep safe and well.