Leader pays tribute to staff and communities

Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council, has paid tribute to officers, elected members, communities and partners for the ‘spirit, dedication and comradery’ shown in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

In a letter to staff on Friday (3 April) Cllr Flower acknowledged how many members of staff

have moved teams, volunteered to take on new roles and are working round the clock to help vulnerable residents, whilst trying to juggle work, home-schooling, childcare and caring for their own relatives.

Cllr Flower also acknowledged the genuine partnership working being seen across the county, with many partnership organisations coming together to help the people of Dorset at this unsettling time.

Here’s his letter:

Dear All

This week, Dorset Council turned one. We deliberately chose not to make a big deal of this publicly – as there are far more important things going on at the moment.  I would, however, like to tell you how incredibly proud I am of our employees and our local communities as we reach this milestone.

When Dorset Council began, I described us as ‘a can do’ organisation, an organisation that puts our communities first. The last few weeks has shown that we are a ‘can do’ county and I’m truly humbled by the spirit, dedication and comradery that’s happening both in our local communities and amongst our own workforce.

Colleague officers have moved teams, taken on new roles and are working round the clock to help our most vulnerable residents – and I know many are doing this whilst trying to juggle work, home-schooling, childcare and caring for their own relatives. Here’s a few examples of what we’ve seen:

• colleagues are helping the most vulnerable people, delivering food parcels and medicines
• we are working closer than ever with schools, nurseries and childcare to make sure the most vulnerable children and those of key workers are cared for
• social workers continuing to visit families whilst practising social distancing
• people from highways and countryside re-training to keep waste collection services running
• our gritters are helping to make sure the roads are clear for key workers
• housing colleagues helping discharge people from hospitals, making sure families in temporary accommodation are supported and that homeless people are safe
• community patrol officers helping Police enforce social distancing
• the revenues and benefits team supporting Dorset’s suffering businesses and individuals
• IT is refurbishing laptops and mobiles for vulnerable children to access online learning resources
• library colleagues volunteering to help customer services
• outdoor education centres making videos for YouTube to keep children entertained

We’re also working very closely with partners in the NHS, Dorset Police, Dorset and Wilts Fire and Rescue Services, town and parish councils and voluntary and community services to make sure we are joined up in all we are doing in Dorset and helping each other where we can.

We now have more than 2,500 colleagues working from home and carrying on with some of our ‘business as usual’ work. Whatever your role – on behalf of my fellow members and myself a huge thank you from us all.

I’m also delighted to see local Ward Councillors and local communities pulling together to support each other during these difficult and unprecedented times.  I know that you are making phone calls, doing shopping, cooking meals, collecting prescriptions and putting rainbows in your window to brighten people’s days.  I’d expect nothing less from the wonderful people in Dorset. The community spirit during this crisis has been absolutely amazing and a credit to you all.

I know we still have some way to go and there will be difficult times ahead, but it’s clear that the people of Dorset are there to support each other #DorsetTogether

With all best wishes, stay safe and well.

Spencer

Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council