A CHRISTMAS message from Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull MBC:
“It was only in late January that the seriousness of the newly christened Covid-19 was understood. Since then it has dominated our lives.
Together we have got through the year, sadly the UK has lost tens of thousands of people and in Solihull hundreds of residents have died because of Covid. The virus had a serious effect on the health of many others.
But without your support and help it could have been many more – I am humbled by the sacrifices everyone has made this year.
Keeping family, friends and their community safe; communities coming together across the borough in the spirit of mutual support.
The Council’s officers have had to focus all of their efforts on Covid.
They’ve communicated, shared guidance, worked with businesses and reached out to community groups and partners across the borough.
The team has tried to maintain the high quality of services wherever possible, but the pandemic meant some of our most valued services, such as libraries, the tip and our leisure centres had to close for a time.
I cannot thank our teams enough for their efforts.
We have changed the way we work, such as the switching to virtual meetings and spending much less time in the Council offices.
The lack of human contact has been hard for everyone, but the virus loves a crowd.
With Christmas approaching, many of us can look forward to celebrating safely within our Christmas bubble.
However, as many more Christmas celebrations will follow in the future, you may choose to have a very quiet or virtual one this year.
Please don’t forget that the virus is still circulating and does not take a break for Christmas!
We must be really careful during this year’s festivities.
As our health chief has said, it really is not whether ‘I can, but whether I should’.
Keep well, keep positive and continue doing the right thing for Solihull.
As we approach Christmas, let me take a phrase from my Mayoral Year, can I wish you good Health, Happiness and Harmony for the festive period, but also Hope for a better 2021.
