'Hope is on the horizon', says East Riding leader

The East Riding's going through “dark times” because of coronavirus but hope remains as the council works to recover from the pandemic, its leader has said.

East Riding Council leader Richard Burton told a full meeting of the authority, Coronavirus infections had increased “rapidly” across the county in recent weeks.

The leader added “hope is on the horizon”, after news of successful vaccine trials as the council begins to draw up recovery plans covering business support, the economy and town centres.

It comes as the county went from tier 2 of local coronavirus restrictions into a national lockdown, with the rest of England on Thursday, November 5.

Cllr Burton said:

“We’re now in the midst of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, with infections increasing rapidly in recent weeks.

“Everyone now needs to play their part by washing their hands thoroughly, wearing face masks and following social distancing rules as well as our Three Steps to Safety so we can get on top of the pandemic.

“I urge everyone to do these basic things which will help reduce the risk of the virus spreading. We’re living in dark times and there are many more ahead of us.

“However there is light at the end of the tunnel, there’s cause for optimism and we need to reach for that collectively. We know vaccines are on the horizon as well as new treatments.

“The council and our partners have been doing a great job, ultimately this fight will be successful. We’re now preparing for a post-pandemic world, what some call the ‘new normal’.

“We will not only recover but we’re working to make the East Riding an even better place in the future.

“We have an economic recovery task group with a wide ranging scope, they’re reviewing our strategy going forward. They are looking at supporting businesses and investment, our town centres while also working on our capital programme, all of which aims to support the wellbeing of the area.

“We’ve already paid out £81m in grants to businesses, including £4m in discretionary funding. We’ve had 184 companies express interest in the Love Your High Street scheme, with more than £700,000 left in its budget.

“The council is part of the national Kickstart scheme, targeting young people at risk of long term unemployment, as well as launching our own No Limits scheme. These and other programmes will help the East Riding come out of the pandemic in the best possible position.

“Let’s be proud, optimistic and ambitious about the East Riding’s future, it’s up to us and hopefully we can all enjoy Christmas with our loved ones.”