Coronavirus: Dudley health staff may get freedom of borough
Dudley's health workers could be given the freedom of the borough in recognition of their efforts during the coronavirus crisis.
Councillors in Dudley are calling for NHS and social care staff to be given the accolade – the highest that a borough can bestow – to honour the sacrifices frontline workers have made in the fight against Covid-19.
A commemorative statue, potentially near Russells Hall Hospital, is also being discussed, with a fundraising drive due to be launched in the coming weeks.
The plans have been put forward by Dudley Council's opposition Labour group.
More Covid-19 coverage:
Councillor Keiran Casey, the Shadow Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "There is no doubt that we owe more to frontline NHS, social care staff and key workers during this time than words can say.
"We have seen the country rightly come together each week at 8pm to say 'thank you'. I’ve seen first-hand when helping local community organisations the great work that is being done in our communities and by those on the front line.
"At the moment the main thing is that we ensure that they have all the help and support they need, but I think it’s extremely important that when we start to get back to some form of normality after beating this virus, that we recognise and never forget the sacrifices that have been made.
"That’s why I’m calling on Dudley Council to formally recognise this work by giving NHS and social care staff the highest award the council can confer on them, which is the freedom of our borough and as a lasting and constant reminder to us all of their work, I’m also looking to raise funds for a permanent monument in the borough to recognise them properly and to simply say thank you from us all."
Mr Casey, who represents Upper Gornal and Woodsetton, said local artists and businesses had already been sounded out regarding the statue project.
