Acting Mayor Wendy Simon
Acting Mayor, Councillor Wendy Simon, believes there is reason for optimism as we head into a brand new year.
For the vast majority of us, 2020 is a year that we want to firmly forget.
Too many of our residents have died as a result of Covid-19 and many more are suffering the long term health and economic consequences of the pandemic.
Despite the human tragedy, stress and disruption that we have all experienced, let’s not lose sight of the community spirit, kindness and care that has been so evident right across Liverpool.
The thousands of people who volunteered for our good neighbour project during the first lockdown.
The voluntary and community organisations who supported those living in isolation with food parcels and medication.
Our NHS and social care staff who have gone above and beyond every day to protect and save lives.
The free meals provided for the children of struggling families.
The Without Walls programme which helped our visitor economy back on to its feet.
And the mass testing programme which continued Liverpool’s proud tradition of leading the way in public health, reducing our infection rate and ensuring we were the only part of the country downgraded from Tier 3 to Tier 2 when lockdown ended.
Make no mistake, we are not out of the woods yet, and there will be difficult days ahead.
The council’s number one priority remains on steering us through the pandemic – and preparing for the recovery.
We need to grow as a city to widen our economic base whilst building on success, we need to shorten the gap between those who have and those who have not.
And the good news is that there is an awful lot to be positive about.
We’ve submitted a £1.4 billion growth plan to government – a blueprint for a post-pandemic Liverpool.
We’re building a more balanced transport infrastructure which is more pedestrian and cyclist friendly, as well as improving our major gateway routes such as the A565 Dock Road, The Strand and Lime Street.
We’re determined to drive up the quality of living in our communities through a new Landlord Licensing scheme and a plan to curb the number of large houses being converted to HMOs.
Driving forward regeneration projects such as The Spine at Paddington Village and the new pop-up film studios at the former Littlewoods site.
And through the City Plan, we’re working collectively and collaboratively on all of this with our public and private sector partners.
The council is united in doing everything it can to foster, nurture and develop the opportunities to change people’s lives for the better.
We are on your side, and I am both confident and determined that 2021 will be brighter than the last 12 months.
Cllr Wendy Simon – Acting Mayor of Liverpool
