Reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement of enhanced measures to contain and counter the spread of Covid-19, South East England Councils (SEEC) has urged an enhanced dialogue with Councils across the South East region.
Chairman of SEEC, Councillor Roy Perry said:
“Understandably, based on the best advice, the Prime Minister has announced additional measures to deal with Coronavirus.
There will be knock-on impacts for the broad hospitality sector with the 10pm curfew on pubs, bars and restaurants which, after being hit hard by the lockdown earlier this year, had only just begun to get back on their feet.
And there is potential for wider impacts if some outlets cannot remain operational – for example business rates that many councils rely on annually. However, we are in the midst of a national pandemic and we must all work together for the greater good.
A key question I believe many Councils and Councillors will have is about enforcement of these and any other additional measures at the local level. How will it work?
The PM said the additional measures maybe for six months – so we are in for the long haul. That said then Government should now enhance its contact with Councils to build a long-term dialogue now with to assess and prepare for localised impacts that will inevitably last for many years.
In the South East, local councils have risen to the challenges brought about by Covid-19, by continuing to provide essential services to residents and leading on local recovery efforts.
Councils have demonstrated that if you put faith in local leaderships they will deliver – so I say to the Prime Minister talk to us about long termer plans”.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Councillor Roy Perry is available for interview.
- With most local councils as members, SEEC works in partnership to make the region a great place to live, work and do business secouncils.gov.uk
- SEEC is a recognised cross-party regional grouping that cooperates with the Local Government Association (LGA).
