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Message from the Leader of the Council

Message from the Leader of The Council

These are extraordinary times and the next few weeks could be difficult for some in our community, particularly those who are vulnerable or lack family or neighbourly support.  To ensure that we get through this period of isolation please follow the guidelines set out by the government and only do those things that are essential for our everyday lives.  Keep at home at much as possible, only travel if your journey is essential and stop meeting with others in order to prevent the spread of the virus.  By keeping to these simple rules we will all ensure we emerge more quickly, safer and as a stronger community. 

The Council is doing all it can to maintain essential services and even though our Leisure Centres and playgrounds have been closed, vitally important services such as refuse collection continue as normal.  This is only possible because staff have adopted new ways of working but you can help them by ensuring we do not overload the service.  Our parks, open spaces and allotments remain open for people to enjoy but only if they adhere to the 2m social distancing advice, details about how each service is operating is available on the council council website  which is updated constantly with new information.

 Most importantly, the Council is doing all it can to assist Operation Shield, the government initiative to help those affected most by this period of self-isolation.   Government is delivering food packages directly to those with specific health issues but is asking Local Government to give assistance to those over 70 years of age and with underlying health problems who do not have family or other means of assistance to do their food shopping.   Essex Welfare Service is now coordinating the support effort by ensuring volunteers in our community can be matched to those needing our help.  If you feel able to help in that effort, details of how to volunteer can be found at https://www.essex.gov.uk/volunteer-to-help-your-community, alternatively our local community voluntary service CAVS has an extensive network of support groups that can provide a variety of help, advice and guidance to those who need it most.  Again, if you feel able to help them, please let them know, on 01268 214000 or email wellness@cavsorg.uk . 

We all want this period of isolation to end as soon as possible so that we can go back to enjoying this wonderful place we live in, so it is vitally important that we all take heed and respond to governments advice.  

Stay home, stay safe

Cllr Norman Smith, Leader of the Council

 

Latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates - https://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/coronavirus