ECONOMIC GROWTH

Staying agile through the second lockdown

During 'Lockdown 2.0', resilient multi-agency systems and practices of support and enforcement are embedded throughout Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and the wider region, with councils working with partners closely and flexibly, says Sheila Oxtoby.

The second national lockdown has again brought into sharp focus the need for all councils to stay agile and connected with their partners, as we head through the second wave and hopefully, into supporting a national programme of mass vaccination in the New Year.

While some features of Lockdown 2.0 are very different, what has not changed is the critical role of councils as place leaders in supporting their vulnerable residents and businesses during very challenging times. This time round, when the Prime Minister made his announcement, resilient multi-agency systems and practices of support and enforcement were already embedded and operating at place level across Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and the wider region, with councils, NHS bodies, the police, business groups and voluntary community and social enterprise organisations all working together closely and flexibly.

As a multi-agency team, we successfully managed complex settings and responded swiftly to rising transmission rates within our wider community, implementing a plan of concerted communications and engagement which saw the spike stabilise in Great Yarmouth. We have shared our learning and communications materials with other Norfolk districts, which supported us in our time of need and have since faced similar situations.

During this second lockdown, while the Government has asked councils to specifically support the extremely clinically vulnerable and offer temporary accommodation to rough sleepers, multi-agency support remains available across Norfolk for anyone in need.

Back in the spring, and despite significant resource demands, we took the decision to drive ahead with our area-based agenda of economic regeneration and growth. We are awaiting the outcome of our bid to the Future High Streets Fund to regenerate our town centre and we're finalising our submission for a Town Deal of up to £25m to help deliver our town investment plan.

It is how councils recover that will make the biggest difference in the longer-term.

Sheila Oxtoby is chief executive officer of Great Yarmouth BC

@SheilaOxtoby

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Reform of SEND cannot come quickly enough

By Simon Edwards | 05 June 2025

With deficits increasing and liabilities for SEND accruing interest on the existing debt, this issue can no longer be ducked, says Simon Edwards. 'This is wh...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

The cap doesn't fit

By Justin Griggs | 05 June 2025

Capping some or all parish and town councils would seriously threaten their effectiveness and undermine the broader agenda of devolution and community empowe...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Councils' watershed moment

By Martin Ford | 05 June 2025

Next week’s Spending Review will have huge implications for the future finances of local government. Martin Ford looks at what we know so far, and the key qu...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Planning for the unplannable

By Tim Farr | 04 June 2025

Tim Farr of Starfish Search takes a look at the ever-changing political and economic landscape – heavily influenced by events in the US – and how is it is cu...

Sheila Oxtoby

Popular articles by Sheila Oxtoby