Our cabinet member for environment & planning has given her appreciation and thanks to hardworking frontline staff for their continued dedication in providing key services throughout the pandemic.
Both the council’s parks team and Veolia waste and street cleansing teams have been working non-stop to prioritise the health and safety of our residents by ensuring streets are clean, recycling and waste is collected on time, and ensuring important work has continued to keep the borough’s parks and open spaces maintained and tidy, even during the current lockdown.
The Christmas and New Year period has also been very challenging for the recycling and waste crews, with over 230 additional tonnes of rubbish and recycling collected compared to the same time last year. The council would like to thank residents for continuing to support the recycling services and their patience during this time.
In addition to the increase in kerbside collections, Veolia recently faced extreme levels of snowfall, meaning gritting crews out between two and four times a day, to keep Southend’s priority roads, along with the testing and vaccination sites, clear of ice to ensure the vaccination and testing roll out could continue.
Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “I would like to thank our brilliant parks staff for their continued efforts in ensuring our parks and open spaces are kept maintained during lockdown and throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. I know many residents will appreciate their hard work when out on their daily exercise.
“For many residents, the Borough’s parks and outdoor spaces have become invaluable for their health and wellbeing during these difficult times, and despite the challenges, which include a very wet winter, the parks team have ensured our green spaces are well maintained.
“I would also like to thank Veolia staff. By maintaining the recycling and waste collections, and street cleansing services across the Borough, Veolia staff are providing an essential service to support our residents during this challenging time.
“I am very grateful that we have been able to continue to deliver these key services for our residents during this time, particularly over the last week or so when we have seen the crews out in incredibly challenging weather conditions.”
For up-to-date information regarding council services during the Coronavirus outbreak, please visit our affected services page.