A message from the Council Leader

Published: 24 December 2021

Dear residents,

As I am sure you are all aware, the country is facing a perfect storm of winter demands, foremost among them a surging new COVID variant – Omicron, alongside the onset of cold weather, labour market shortages and flu viruses which are all putting increased pressure onto many of our services in the Council. Working together, as we have over the last 20 months in order to support our residents means that we must consider how we protect services for those residents who most need them over the next few weeks and months.

As a Council we’ve been preparing over the last few weeks to make sure we can cope with the rise of the Omicron variant. Our teams have been working hard reviewing essential and non-essential services to understand which we can step down, if needed, due to the rise in cases or the reduction of our workforce due to COVID related illness.

As part of this work, we’ve been looking at reallocating some of our colleagues into our most vital services. We’re preparing for the worst and hoping for the best and will do everything we can to ensure the safe delivery of our most essential services, particularly for our vulnerable residents.

As always, we’ll be taking a steer from Government and making vital changes as and when they are needed.

Please bear with us over the festive season.

Have a safe and Happy Christmas.

Cllr Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council

Health