The town council is continuing to operate by using email to communicate between councillors and the town clerk, who is working from home.
Immediate concerns include the impact of the current public health crisis on vulnerable residents. “This could be a long-term situation warns the Council’s general purposes committee Chair, Cllr Lyn Swindlehurst. For example, the Haregate Community Centre is seeking financial support for the Community Cupboard project and the associated Survive Together Leek Covid 19 volunteer groups.
“We are considering proposals to allocate funds to support ‘Covid’ Emergency Groups which are being set up to meet the needs of local residents,” said Councillor Swindlehurst.
Commenting on the prevention of overseas travel, the Leek Town Mayor Cllr Sue Coleman said. This cuts across the activities of our Twinning Association and plans for visits between residents of Leek and Este in the Veneto region of Italy, which have all been cancelled.
“Our friends from Este will be in our thoughts this Easter,” said Cllr Susan Coleman.
“Leek and Este have been linked for approaching 20 years now. Those bonds are there in good times, and bad. They can never be severed.
“Both countries are now in the grips of a common enemy, the worst public health crisis for over 100 years. Within the isolation of our homes, we need companionship and human fellowship more than ever, that much is clear.
Cllr Coleman continues: “That sense of community and the duties it involves are upheld most of all by the people at the heart of the crisis – our doctors, nurses, care workers and all members of emergency services.
“The people of Veneto may perhaps be seeing the first signs of the light – we fervently hope so. We grieve for your losses. We look forward to following your strong recovery. We remember fondly our visits to your wonderful town and a country which has such a central place in world civilisation. After the shadows have passed, we look forward to resuming, in person, those relationships which have not been weakened by physical absence but will only be stronger in the future.”
“Adoro vivere Este. Adoro vivere il popolo italiano!”
ENDS
Photo: Taken on a previous visit to Este the photo shows Cllr Pamela Wood, Chair of the Twinning Association together with other Leekensians and their Italian hosts.
Issued by Cllr Mike Ottewell
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For more information on Leek Town Council visit www.leektowncouncil.gov.uk