Where there’s a will, there’s a way

I’d like to begin this column by expressing my deepest condolences to Councillor Andy Coles regarding the passing of his wife and fellow councillor Louise. Although she represented a different party, I believe that our common humanity matters more than any political disagreements. Louise was intelligent, committed and enthusiastic; she cared about the people of Fletton and Woodston. When someone like Louise passes, the grim coronavirus statistics hit home with even greater force: we are losing a lot of people who made their communities a better place to live.

Although these times are draped in shadow, there are, nevertheless, reasons for hope.

It was reported in this newspaper that within 24 hours, the council and Light Project had housed 25 rough sleepers in temporary accommodation.

Safer Off the Streets reports that 80 individuals have been provided with some form of decent housing.

They are receiving hot meals and help in addition to a place to sleep. Millfield businesses have also provided food; their community spirit is commendable.

While some might regard these measures as a necessity brought about by the coronavirus, in my opinion it shows what we can do if we only have the will.

In this case, the council teamed up with local charities and businesses, and vulnerable people received the support they needed quickly. I have to ask: what took so long?

If we can essentially solve rough sleeping in Peterborough, albeit temporarily, so quickly, then what else can we do if we merely have the will? We should not need the impetus created by a pandemic to do what is right and necessary for our city.

If we can house 80 people at such pace, then why can’t we accelerate our building programmes to provide permanent shelter for people in our city? If we can move this mountainous issue why not shift others? A more activist council could work to reduce crime in collaboration with third sector organisations like Neighbourhood Watch and Needless Needles. An engaged local council could work more extensively with local community centres and homework clubs to improve education in the area.

I am concerned that we may not be using this period as wisely as we could. For example, will the rough sleepers continue to receive support after the emergency ends, so they can stay off the streets? Or will we retreat back into doing things the way we did them before?

As a country, and as a city, we have paid a heavy price due to the coronavirus. Once we have sufficient contact tracing and testing, which statistics indicate we are a laggard compared to other countries, we will soon emerge into a new period.

This future will have been shaped by our experience of lockdown. We should grieve for those we have lost, but we should also be encouraged by the fact that despite the constraints of social distancing and economic turmoil, we have been able to make real progress.

The Labour Group will continue to press the council to capitalise on the gains which have been made, to ensure that life after the coronavirus is better than the era which has preceded it.