Doncaster council boss outlines initial recovery scenarios to business
and live on Freeview channel 276
Damian Allen, council chief executive, said sectors like house building could restart in the near future and discussions with other regional councils on the reopening of waste management and recycling centres were ongoing.
He said the recovery was ‘not straightforward’ and was ‘difficult to manage’, especially with the changing policy from central government.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe said officials in government departments responsible for councils are concerned about the public being fearful of returning to work, especially on public transport when the lockdown begins to be lifted.
He also predicted there would have to be an ‘oversupply’ of public transport to keep up social distancing measures.
Mr Allen said it was ‘critically important’ that the most vulnerable needed to carry on being protected, but admitted this did place a strain on families and some council support services.
He said: “We could soon see if certain criteria are met that the so-called ‘non-essential’ sectors to the public health emergency can be brought on.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We’ve started to see that with the construction sector and the Secretary of State has started talking about kick-starting house building again.
“I was recently talking with the ministry responsible and their worry is there will be an over-compliance that when people are asked to come back, people will be fearful of rejoining the workforce, particularly if they are taking public transport.
“What we will see in the gradual easing of lockdown is the need to oversupply public transport to ensure social distancing is assured.
“Another scenario we’re facing, and this is critically important before the easing of lockdown, is sufficient testing and tracing, so we understand the infection in the community, especially in regards to key workers.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“It’s important we keep on shielding our most vulnerable people - that does create great stress and strain on them and their families, but also on some of the support services. We don’t want a second peak.
“The challenge we have is the assumptions we’re making in our recovery strategy - we need to be mindful of the direction of Government policy going forward.”