Thank you to local councils!

The Local Government response to COVID-19 proves why it is one of the most agile but under-rated sectors of government.

Cratus would like to take this opportunity to again thank all of those who are helping and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic at this time but to also shine a spotlight on the role that Local Government has played, especially in London where the virus has hit the hardest.

Whether it be working with local health partners including care homes, NHS trusts and hospitals; liaising with the Police to ensure social distancing; co-ordinating the delivery of food parcels to vulnerable residents; managing local parks to provide space for people to exercise or simply ensuring that the bin collection continues, local councils across London and the UK are at the centre of the response.

In London, one small example is of many councils making calls to check in with vulnerable residents as well as providing additional food parcels, over and above those provided by the Government, to those who they know will be struggling but may not be on the Government’s shielding list.

The fact that local councils are managing to do this with up to 20% of their staff being affected by COVID-19 in one way or another is testament to those who work in the sector. However, this adaptation and need to work in a challenging and agile way is not new to the Local Government sector. Councils have had to find some of the greatest efficiencies in recent years of any part of government and their response to COVID-19 is a clear example of the mind-set and ethos of Local Government.

They are champions for and have the greatest understanding of their local communities. This is allowing them to be involved in and deliver a great breadth of services efficiently and with compassion – and so we say Thank You!