Recovery group set up by council to deal with urgent issues

The leader of Dundee City Council has pledged to keep working to keep the city afloat as lockdown restrictions ease.

A recovery group has been set up to deal with issues in the coming weeks as businesses reopen and more people move around the city.

The sub-committee will deal with urgent matters over the summer and will meet weekly if necessary.

Council leader John Alexander is preparing to chair the committee and warned a second wave of coronavirus remains a risk.

He said: “In these difficult times, its imperative that councillors and the council continue to work tirelessly to support the city.

“The creation of the recovery sub-committee is one element of delivering that and will consider important, emerging or emergency matters which require political input. While a lot of progress has been made locally in reducing the prevalence of the virus, none of us can relax or rest on our laurels, and we won’t. There continues to be a very real risk of a second spike. I think I speak for politicians from all political parties when I say that we are absolutely focused on protecting people, supporting communities and safeguarding jobs.

“The normal summer recess does not apply and I think the message is clear, we won’t stop working to keep this city afloat, from being bold or ambitious.”

The pledge comes after Mr Alexander warned coronavirus could cost the council £34 million over six months.

The committee will include members of the SNP administration, as well as Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors.

Fraser Macpherson, the Liberal Democrat group spokesman, said: “I supported the recreation of the council’s recovery sub-committee to ensure that all important decisions are dealt with promptly, efficiency and transparently over the summer, in what is a very challenging situation, not just for the council but for our city as a whole.”