#TogetherforPreston - Discover how Preston City Council have worked together to help Preston through Covid-19

More than 100 days ago life changed quite significantly for us all. Throughout these challenging days Preston City Council has worked tirelessly to support the most vulnerable people in the city and continue to provide the vital services we all rely on.

#TogetherforPreston highlights the work that has been done by everyone associated with Preston City Council to help our city through this pandemic.

18 July 2020

Today's final #TogetherForPreston features Councillor Martyn Rawlinson and the work of his portfolio - Resources and Performance.

The Coronavirus pandemic not only had a devastating impact on peoples' health but also on the finances of many businesses - large and small.

Here in Preston we've worked extremely hard over the past few months to help in a variety of ways.

The Town Hall doors may have been closed to the public but our customer service advisors have continued to answer the phones - they're just doing it from their front rooms, or their kitchens. Our ICT, website and communications teams have been extremely busy helping the rest of us work from home with the most correct and up to date information at our fingertips so that we can share those messages with you - helping our residents and business owners get the help and support they need.

Business rates, council tax, benefits teams and accountants have worked flat out to process grant applications. Welfare benefits assessors are helping people with where to access information and financial support, particularly now in this recovery stage as many people face the uncertainty of unemployment.

One of the biggest challenges locally will be recovery from the economic impact and, despite receiving Government funding to cover our costs over the last few months, the council's income will be affected for some time to come.

We've taken a flexible and sympathetic approach to debt during this crisis, offering rent free periods for Preston Market traders along with other tenants in council assets.

Many people will have felt the financial burden of the pandemic and we've helped where we can, with council tax relief and assisting with Universal Credit applications for those needing financial support.

Support is always available from council services, it just might be in a different way to how it's been done before.

17 July 2020

Today's #TogetherforPreston focusses on the role of Environment and Councillor Robert Boswell.

During these unprecedented times, the fresh produce traders at Preston Markets were able to trade throughout. Providing essential food items to the people of Preston by keeping the Market Hall operating on reduced hours to serve members of the public.

It is great to see the traders working together to offer a local home delivery service, ensuring people who were vulnerable or shielding to still have access to fresh, locally sourced food. Individual traders put together a selection of food hampers for customers to pre-order for collection or delivery, which minimized customer's exposure time to the health risks.

I am pleased to say that Preston City Council were able to support the traders at Preston Markets during this time by providing a three-month rent relief. This ensured the fresh produce traders could continue to provide this vital service and the businesses who were told to close by the Government, knew they were able to return to their business when safe to do so. 

At the same time we were able to offer short stay free parking in the city centre to aid key workers, essential shopping trips and businesses in Preston. It was important during these unprecedented times to support as many people as possible.

Over the past three months it has been paramount for residents to access open spaces to exercise. I am delighted that the parks in Preston have been able to remain open throughout and the parks teams have ensured they are maintained to their level of beauty.

Within Avenham and Miller parks two flowers beds have been planted to show the cities appreciation to all key workers and the NHS who have worked tirelessly through this pandemic.

Throughout this period, Preston City Council has managed to uphold the complete bin collection for all residents, including general, garden and recycling loads. Over the three months of lockdown an increase of over 2,113 tonnes of waste has been collected from the residents of Preston. This increased collection has only been made possible by the amazing waste management team and refuse collectors.

It has been great to witness the country wide appreciation of the waste teams and our staff have been very grateful to receive the many appreciation posts, presents and clapping from our residents.

Officers at the Preston City Council have continued to work hard to ensure all these services are available for the people of Preston to keep them as safe as possible.

It is great that we are now able to move forward safely, welcoming back all the traders to Preston Markets, reopening the high street, shops, cafes and the leisure sector working together towards a new, safe normal.

16 July 2020

Today's #TogetherforPreston focusses on the role of the Culture and Leisure services in Preston and Councillor Peter Kelly.

During these challenging months, The Harris although it has been closed has been able to showcase its amazing artwork and exhibitions through virtual tours.

One feature of the virtual tour in June was the exceptional selection of art from the Courtauld Gallery in London, which featured works from the 17th century to the present day. These virtual tours were very popular and offered a much needed escape for everyone during lockdown.

Over the past few months, staff at The Harris have been inviting artists, designers or creative enterprises that live and work in the North West region to submit their work to become a supplier to the Harris museum shop for when it reopens. As the shop is in situated in its prime location, this artwork will be seen by all visitors to the Harris and available to buy, such a great opportunity for any budding artist or designers.

Another exciting update included the project team announcement for the Re-Imagining the Harris Project, following last year's announcement of National Lottery development funding.

Working with the project partners we were able to share the first concept design plans for consultation for the ambitious project. Feedback has been sought from members of the public which will inform the next phase of bringing visitors a fully refurbished cultural and community hub at the Harris and the UK's first blended museum, art gallery and library.

I am very proud to be able to work on this exciting project and pleased with the continued progress through these challenging times.

As The Harris is such an iconic building in Preston, we felt it hugely important to show our solidarity with those protesting racism and injustice worldwide by being lit up purple.

Also we were able to show our appreciation to the NHS and Key Workers with an installation of a banner on the front railings, to express everyone's thanks to the people who have helped and given so much during this time.

Another exciting announcement for Preston came with the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021), tournament organisers deciding that Preston will be the training base for Wales' men's team.

With the tournament coming to England next year, Preston will act as the training base for the Wales men's team. Bringing many new people to the city and the exciting atmosphere as they look to make their mark on the biggest stage of all.

Even though many of our amazing events have had to be cancelled or postponed this year, next year is something to look forward too. With the Rugby League World Cup taking over the city, a full programme of events on the Flag Market and the amazing weekend of Lancashire Encounter returning in September 2021 there are many dates for your diary!

15 July 2020

Today's #TogetherforPreston focusses on the role of Community Wealth Building and Councillor Freddie Bailey throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Never before has the conversation around Community Wealth Building been as important as it is now.

The impact on the economy of the pandemic and "lockdown" is still unknown and yet clearly significant. Despite the optimism surrounding the reopening of bars, restaurants, shops and tourism, many people are facing an uncertain future with redundancies already announced. It's vital that we move forward in a different direction and embrace a new approach to the economy.

During the last number of months, we have progressed some key areas of our Community Wealth Building agenda, with some exciting projects and collaborations coming to fruition.

It has been a long-standing ambition to establish a new way of banking in the North West that places people over profit and uses local wealth to support local growth. To this end we're delighted to be working with Liverpool and Wirral councils to establish a North West Bank.

In May we took a huge step with the Financial Conduct Authority approving North West Mutual LTD. This is an important milestone on a journey that'll see our communities investing in the real economy with support given to local people and business who may have otherwise struggled.

Elsewhere we're thrilled to be working with Stir to Action on a project to champion alternative business opportunities for some of our most badly affected communities. Preston has always been proud to be multicultural and to celebrate everything out diverse communities bring to one another.

This project will engage directly with our communities, including those from BAME and migrant backgrounds. This will encourage communities to consider alternative approaches to business, adding greater depth and variety to our economy in a locally focussed and sustainable way. Stir to Action have an incredible reputation for championing such projects around the world and it's a privilege to be starting on this journey with them.

We're also pleased to be playing a role in a local cooperative project with local taxi drivers. This is the first cooperative to benefit from funding from the Open Society Foundations project that we are delivering in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire, with support from the Preston Cooperative Development Network. This project will benefit taxi drivers in the region and work in closer partnership for a fair and sustainable future for such a vital industry.

There will be many challenges on the road to economic recovery. But this is an opportunity to take a fresh look at our economy and how we pull together and work as a community. Through community wealth building we have an opportunity to readdress the economic balance in our community and to put the people of Preston first. This is an opportunity we will grasp with both hands.

14 July 2020

Today we're focussing on the work of Communities and Social Justice. Councillor Nweeda Khan has long played an active role in her community of Plungington giving a helping hand to community projects and food banks.

The importance of community has seldom been as strong as during this pandemic. Throughout the country there have been inspiring stories of neighbours and communities coming together to support the most vulnerable in their area, and Preston is no exception to this.

Ensuring vulnerable people had access to food and vital supplies was an essential first step. The city council immediately sought to work with our neighbouring authorities as well as emergency services throughout the county to make sure the most vulnerable in our city had what they needed.

This led to the creation of Preston Together - a centralised port of call to anybody in Preston needing help and support. I have been inspired by the work of council staff and volunteers in reaching out to vulnerable people to ensure they have access to food, help with shopping or prescriptions or even a friendly voice on the end of the phone at a time when families could not be together.

To date this service - along with volunteer run food hubs throughout the city - has supported 1200 families every week by providing 19,680 food parcels equating to 236,160 essential meals for families most in need. I'm humbled by the generosity of volunteers and organisations who continue to make this happen.

Our cities various faith groups have played a key role in this by establishing food hubs, providing key workers and stranded students with fresh, warm meals and setting up volunteer help lines for people in need of spiritual support.

I am honoured to work closely with these groups in my role and feel privileged to have worked alongside my fellow Cabinet members in supporting local efforts throughout the city.

The faith forum also came together to hold an online vigil in memory of George Floyd and everyone faced with discrimination and injustice around the world. This was a powerful moment and I am thankful for everyone who took part.

I am also grateful for everyone who came together on Windrush day to raise the Windrush flag above Preston Town Hall for the first time. This was another significant moment and celebrates our incredible Caribbean community and everything they bring to Preston through music, food, business as well as the healthcare workers who've been on the front line of this crisis.

The effects of this pandemic will be felt for a long time to come and it's vital that communities continue to pull together and look out for one another. I have been humbled by the generosity and resilience of our communities who have pulled together throughout this crisis and continue to make Preston Proud.

13 July 2020

#TogetherForPreston highlights Planning & Regulation and the role of Councillor Peter Moss as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member

"We are in unprecedented times...". This is a phrase we've all heard a lot lately. And we are.

But the wheels at the council haven't stopped turning. We continue to receive planning applications that have been considered in the usual, stringent way. The Planning Committee in June made history by being the first 'virtual' committee the Council has ever run. It was a success thanks to the hard work and support of officers behind the scenes.

We have also implemented processes to deal with requests from developers to extend construction site working hours in response to the Government's recent change in legislation. Allowing building work to catch up in this way helps with our local economic recovery.

The Environmental Health teams have also been very busy in all sorts of ways - the food team have supported and advised businesses to diversify and offer takeaway; some team members were re-deployed and then trained to assist those working at the Cemetery and Crematorium as demand on this service sadly increased during the pandemic. However, good pre-planning, operational management and dedicated, compassionate staff meant we were able to build in much more capacity to maintain a level of service that met the additional demands of Covid 19.

Other significant work from the Environmental Health teams includes Pest Control technicians have continued visiting peoples' homes (no one wanted to be in lockdown with uninvited guests of that nature!); offering business advice and support from the start of the pandemic has been important - monitoring ever changing Government guidelines on which businesses were closed, which were open, which could operate in a different or new way, and this work continues now the city is starting to re-open its doors. Businesses large and small needed advice on a range of issues including Covid19 safety measures, PPE issues and advice for licensed premises and taxi drivers.

City Centre investment for the Stoneygate area of Preston has also moved on recently. The 15-year vision and regeneration framework aims to create an urban village and deliver 1,600 homes, as well as bring back into use a number of empty and derelict buildings in the underused part of the city. Enhancing the public realm, the connections to Cardinal Newman College and the area around Arkwright House and St John's Minster will benefit the whole of the city centre, along with enhancing cycling and walking routes.

I do know that one building of which all Prestonians are concerned about and creates lots of interest is the Old Post Office. Although this is very much a private sector development, behind the scenes the Council have continued to engage with the investors, who have confirmed that works have recommenced and they are moving towards the construction being completed late March 2021.

Far from applying the brakes during this crisis, Councillors and staff at all levels have continued to positively deliver the vitally important services residents need and steered the city in the right direction as we focus on working collaboratively with investors, business and other partners for the future benefit of Preston.

12 July 2020

#TogetherForPreston begins with thoughts from Councillor Matthew Brown, the Leader of Preston City Council who has shared his pride at communities coming together to support one another throughout as well as getting out into the community and supporting the people of this city

More than 100 days ago life changed quite significantly for all of us - introducing us to a new normal that still does not feel very comfortable or normal for the majority of us. The last few months have been defined by social distancing, supporting key workers and fighting an invisible enemy on a global scale.

I have been heartened by the significant response from our residents and communities, of all faiths, backgrounds and representing all walks of life. We have seen wonderful local initiatives from community and faith groups, schools and businesses working to help their neighbours, donate to the NHS and other various forms of practical support.

For Preston City Council it has not been business as usual, it has - and continues to be - business as never before. Despite the doors of Town Hall being closed during the peak "lockdown" period, our teams have been working hard to delivery priority services and support residents throughout this situation.

As a Category 1 Responder in emergency situations we work closely with partners from across the county to protect and support our residents.

All of our staff are key workers and many were required to redeploy to work in areas of the greatest urgency and priority.

Over the next week we will be highlighting and showcasing the work that we have been doing, on the frontlines as well as behind the scenes. This will encompass new areas of work that we have taken up and implemented such as the locality hub and business grants as well as essential frontline services from waste collection to pest control and behind the scenes support for our residents and communities.   

We have also supported our business tenants through rent rebates and established a two way dialogue with representatives of faith and our diverse communities through the pandemic.  

This time has been, and continues to be, hard for all of us - the work is far from over.

We still must protect ourselves and others by following Government guidance, washing our hands regularly, giving each other space and taking necessary precautions. We continue to have concerns about the inequalities and vulnerabilities this pandemic has highlighted, including domestic abuse, increased health risks for some of our communities and financial strain due to lack of income and support.

Preston City Council continues to be committed to supporting our residents, communities and businesses throughout the recovery period as best we can.   

This includes playing a central role in building social, economic and environmental justice in a spirit of collaboration across Preston.  

Although the work is not over, I am proud of what we have been able to achieve so far. And I know how much of that is because of the support and collaboration we have received from partners, community groups, the faith forum, businesses and individuals.

I am proud of our city and how Preston has worked together for benefit of everyone.