Date issued: 20 April 2020
Nearly 50 workers at Colchester Borough Council have taken up temporary new roles, to support key services during the coronavirus lockdown.
Staff who usually work in services that have had to curb their normal operations due to the Government’s social distancing restrictions, have taken on new challenges to help keep the council running.
Staff from museums, Leisure World, parking enforcement and a variety of other council departments are now offering their skills and experience to support front line operations – from Helpline and Neighbourhood Services, to bereavement services and help getting much needed government grants out to businesses as swiftly as possible.
Twenty-five NEPP staff have been redeployed to help community patrols, with others assisting Community360 as it delivers vital supplies to vulnerable residents. A further seven council workers have been redeployed to work in homeless shelters.
Cllr David King, Portfolio Holder for Business and Resources, said: “Our staff are showing a fantastic 'can do' and 'up for it' attitude, helping ensure that vital frontline services are maintained. They have been simply amazing in stepping up to this unprecedented challenge. I thank them all for continuing to do an incredible job in extremely difficult circumstances.”
Cllr Mark Cory, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, added: “Our staff, who show exceptional commitment at the best of times, have been stretching themselves even further over the last four weeks, and often beyond their comfort zones, to help keep critical frontline services going.
“I am extremely proud of their passion, diligence and professionalism helping to deal with the Covid-19 crisis and supporting vulnerable members of our community through this exceptionally difficult time.”
ENDS
Page last reviewed: 20 April 2020