Wolverhampton will be 'relit again' after coronavirus - council leader

Councillor Ian Brookfield, speaking during the first full council meeting since March, committed to the city's recovery plan after the Covid-19 crisis.

The plan outlined Wolverhampton Council's "commitment to continue to work with partners to support the city to live with and recover from Covid-19".

It identifies the key priority areas of supporting people who need us most, creating more opportunities for young people, supporting vital local businesses, generating more jobs and learning opportunities and stimulating vibrant high streets and communities.

Documents to the council stated: "The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has required a response at a global, national and local level. In Wolverhampton, as elsewhere across the country, it continues to affect the lives of every resident in the city.

"Alongside managing the emergency response to the pandemic, the council has also undertaken extensive planning for recovery.

"Over the past three months, we have engaged with around 2,500 people including residents, young people, the voluntary and community sector and other partners, employees, councillors and businesses across the city.

Recovery plan

"This engagement has shaped the council's five-point recovery plan, Relighting Our City.

"There is still much uncertainty about the pandemic, and the long-term impact on our communities and the economy.

"Therefore, this recovery framework is intended to be a live document, which will continue to evolve to meet the new challenges and opportunities which will develop in the coming months.

"The activity and actions set out in the plan are not exhaustive and working closely with city partners and residents the council will continue to build on this framework to develop its approach to recovery."

Speaking at Wednesday's meeting, Councillor Brookfield said: "Everyone knows the city, the region, country and the world has gone through a really traumatic time with Covid and the crisis.

"We are happy to take our opportunity and help get our city on its feet back where it was six months ago.

"We spoke to more than 1,000 residents, businesses, colleagues, this is their thoughts, their wishes to relight our city. Safeguarding jobs and the economy are also key for our city.

"We know people have been hit really hard during this pandemic.

"We have seen some of the most vulnerable people in our city hit the hardest.

"As a city we came together during the pandemic, we helped to look after our own and I am proud of that. We are not out of the woods yet as we have seen this week, but we will defeat this virus. We will relight the city."

The report was approved, after a vote from councillors.

Residents can still share their views until mid-December, by visiting wolverhamptonrecovery.commonplace.is.