Leader's weekly update transcript - 25/02/22

Hi everyone, it's Kim again with this week's update.

Last weekend we saw one of the worst storms we have seen for several years. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to help with the recovery. Council officers have been working hard this week to catch up on bin collections, remove any fallen trees on council property and repair damage.

Under new plans announced this week the Government have decided that it is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. However, they have also issued guidance that strongly advises that you do so.

If you have the virus, please consider others and self-isolate to protect others and prevent the spread.

This legal change means that the test and trace isolation payment will end. If you were told to self-isolate before 24 February and would qualify for this payment, you need to apply within 42 days of your instruction to self-isolate.

The virus hasn't gone away, it's still here and has the capacity to cause serious illness and death. The best way to protect yourself is by having the vaccine, and there are walk in clinics available across the town if you haven't had yours yet.

If you are still not sure about the vaccine, please go to one of the clinics and have a chat about your concerns. Please check our website for more details and the opening hours.

We have launched our COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) this week - this is for businesses affected by the pandemic but that are ineligible for existing support linked to business rates. The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant are also both still open for applications. All the information you need is on our website.

We agreed our budget for the year last week and we are focussed on the priorities in our corporate plan such as tackling homelessness and reducing our environmental impact. You can see the plan on our website.

And away from home our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people after the invasion of their country.

Thanks for listening.